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    Get Certified

    Swift Water Rescue

    Interested in enhancing your emergency response skillset? Pursue a Swift Water certification to grow your awareness, operations, and technician-level skills

    Candidate Handbook (PDF)
    Available Trainings
    Firefighter speaking on the radio

    1. Complete prerequisites

    Awareness Level

    • PA Fish and Boat – Water Rescue for the First Responder (WRFR)
    • Hazardous Materials Operations Training or Certification – Must show proof of a completed hazardous materials operations training or certificate within one year of the date of application.
    • CPR and Emergency Medical Services Training – Must complete an approved CPR course and medical care training course (or hold a current EMS certification)

    Operations Level

    • Swift Water Rescue Awareness Level (2021 edition)
    • Rope Rescue Operations training/certification
    • PA Fish and Boat – Water Rescue and Emergency Response (WRER)
    • PA Fish and Boat – Boater Safety course – PA Fish and Boat – Boater Safety Course website
    • PA Fish and Boat – Emergency Boat Operations and Rescue (EBOR)
    • Hazardous Materials Operations Training or Certification – Must show proof of a completed hazardous materials operations training or certificate within one year of the date of application.
    • CPR and Emergency Medical Services Training – Must complete an approved CPR course and medical care training course (or hold a current EMS certification)

    Technician Level

    • Swift Water Rescue Operations level (2021 edition)
    • Surface Water Rescue Technician Level I (2008 or 2013 edition)
    • Rope Rescue Highline training or Rope Rescue Technician certification
    • PA Fish and Boat – Advanced Line System Rescue (ALSR)
    • PA Fish and Boat – Ice Rescue and Emergency Response (IRER)

    See the Swift Water Rescue Candidate Handbook (PDF) for more detail about which certifications and training courses are accepted. Prerequisites are listed on pages 3-4.

    2. Fill out an application

    First, you will need a FEMA Student Identification Number to apply. Find your FEMA student ID or register for one.

    Next, download, digitally complete, and save the Swift Water Rescue application (PDF). 

    3. Select when and where you will take your tests

    This map above has available testing sites.

    Log into the Learning Management System portal to search and register for upcoming certification dates.

     

    Can’t find what you need? Your preferred testing site may add more dates throughout the year. Contact them for more information.

    4. Send completed application

    Applications must be submitted to your preferred testing site by the deadline they have listed, or by three weeks before the test date.

    Firefighter with a clipboard

    Skills we're looking for

    Here's what we test for in a Swift Water Rescue skill exam.