Sioux Falls Fire Rescue Expands with Dive Rescue Program

Published on June 03, 2026

Sioux Falls Fire Rescue (SFFR) continues to enhance its emergency response capabilities with a dedicated dive rescue program designed to rapidly respond to water emergencies throughout the Sioux Falls metro area.

The program places 12 trained rescue divers across SFFR’s three operational shifts, with four divers assigned per shift. Dive equipment is housed on three apparatus stationed throughout the city, allowing crews to respond quickly to emergencies involving water rescues, vehicles submerged in water, drowning incidents, and evidence recovery operations.

The department’s operational goal is to have a rescue diver enter the water within ten minutes of dispatch.

“As our city continues to grow, it is imperative that we continue investing in public safety resources that meet the needs of a fast-growing community,” Mayor Paul TenHaken said. “This program strengthens our emergency response capabilities and ensures residents and visitors have access to highly trained rescue personnel whenever and wherever they are needed.”

The department developed the dive rescue program following its annual accreditation self-assessment process, which identified the need for a rapid-response water rescue capability as development around lakes, ponds, and waterways continues to increase throughout Sioux Falls.

Over the past three years, SFFR worked closely with the Minnehaha County Emergency Management Dive Team to prepare the program for operational deployment. The teams continue to train and respond together as part of a coordinated regional response effort that also includes the Sioux Falls Police Department.

SFFR divers complete both open water dive and rescue diver training and participate in training exercises twice each month. Training is conducted at the Midco Aquatic Center during the winter and the Drake Springs Family Aquatic Center during the summer. Divers also train in local bodies of water, including Covell Lake, Wall Lake, and Family Park.

“The ability to place trained rescue divers in the water within minutes of dispatch significantly improves our response capabilities during water emergencies,” said Luke Smidt, fire division chief for SFFR. “Our crews train year-round in a variety of environments to ensure they are prepared to respond safely and effectively to incidents across the metro area.”

The program follows National Fire Protection Association 1006 and 2500 standards for operational guidance. Divers are required to pass the International Association of Dive Rescue Specialists Watermanship test annually.

For more information on SFFR, visit siouxfalls.gov/fire