Indiana River Rescue School

Please be aware that all of our classes for this year are full! If you would like to contact us about next years class dates and reservations, please call or email us.

The education committee has been re-evaluating the needs of the students and has presented to the Board of Directors these changes. the course curriculum will be in alignment with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) Swiftwater modules and NIMS. These guidelines follow NFPA 1670 and NFPA 1006. We implemented these changes to meet the needs of all, seeking these certifications in their respective jurisdictions.

The course is split into a 3 day Awareness/Operations class, consisting of classroom and hands-on training. Students should be prepared to enter moving water, well versed in ropes and knots (rope ops level) and be in good physical condition.

A separate 4 day class Technician level course will also be offered. Pre-requisites for this course:

  1. An Aw/Ops course or equivalent (i.e. previous 5 day IRRS class)
  2. Strong swimming ability (required to negotiate a Class I-III rapids in an approved PFD.
  3. Ability to operate a motorized craft in turbulent water.
  4. Ability to set-up advanced line systems.
  5. Be in good physical condition.

Class lectures will provide a background in theory and concepts that enables students to go directly to the water. Students become familiar with such equipment as inflatable boats, outboards, rescue ropes, rope rescue systems & necessary personal gear. Many of our teaching sites have actual accident histories.

Pyramid Technique

The Indiana River Rescue School (IRRS) was formed in 1983 through cooperative efforts of the South Bend Parks & Recreation Dept., the Indiana Dept. Of Natural Resources, South Bend Fire Dept., South Bend Police Dept. and the Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources. Based in downtown South Bend, IN., the IRRS follows the founding principles of water rescue, as taught by ODNR in it’s breakthrough 1979 program. The 5 day school includes extensive field training on the St. Joseph River and it’s unique “L” shaped dam, and the East Race Waterway. The East Race Waterway is a 2000’ run which winds through the heart of the city. It has been the site of many U.S. Olympic trials and World Class kayak events. It allows for realistic but controlled training in river rescue, what is now formally known as the premier training ground for “Swiftwater rescue”.

Multiple Control Point Rope TechniqueThe IRRS is now administered by the South Bend Fire Department under the direction of Battalion Chief Mike Damiano, Chief of Special Operations. The majority of instructors are comprised of IDNR Conservation Officers and South Bend Firefighters. Other public safety agencies also instruct at the school, including Niles Twp. (Michigan) & Mishawaka fire depts. During the last 22 years over 2000 students from throughout the US and South America have been trained by the IRRS. With the excellent location of the school’s classroom and training sites, an emphasis is put on “hands on” training with a minimum of downtime for travel.