Rescue 3 International
Rescue 3 International, Inc. is one of the leading rescue training institutions in the world. Over 100,000 students have taken state-of-the-art courses in water, rope, ice, and other technical rescue subjects. Instructors certified by Rescue 3 teach classes in more than thirty-two countries with agents in twelve countries outside of the United States. The reputation for quality hands-on instruction using techniques that work has made Rescue 3 and its programs continue to grow.
The company was started in 1979 by a group of people involved with emergency services who perceived a need for training in areas not commonly covered in the emergency programs of the time. The name, Rescue 3, was chosen when the company first started, because the instruction was concerned with all areas of rescue: ground, air, and water— thus Rescue 3. In 1981 the program was redesigned into the early form of what we now know as the Swiftwater Rescue Technician™ curriculum. Swiftwater classes were taught throughout California and slowly spread across the United States.
In late 1990, Rescue 3 became Rescue 3 International, Inc. Over the course of the next several years, Rescue 3 International went on to develop instructor cadres in many states throughout the United States and in several other countries. Before long there were over 500 active instructors in more than 30 states and 32 countries. From January 1, 1991 to December 31, 1999, Rescue 3 instructors taught almost 70,000 emergency service personnel. Today, these numbers have grown to over 100,000 from all over the globe.
Courses are being taught in countries such as Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Columbia, Costa Rica, Germany, Greece, France, Iceland, Ireland, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Luxemburg, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Puerto Rico, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom, and Venezuela. At the time of writing, there are agents in place at at least twelve of these locations who oversee the teaching of the Rescue 3 program in the surrounding areas on a regular basis.
Rescue 3 International and our network of instructors are constantly revising the courses to provide the most current information on techniques and equipment. In 1999, there was a major revision in the curriculum to meet the requirements of the new National Fire and Protection Association (NFPA) 1670 Standard on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents in the areas of water and rope. This training is available at awareness, operations, and technician levels. We have also developed training and testing to meet the NFPA 1006 Standard for Rescue Technician Professional Qualifications.
Rescue 3 classes are recognised or validated by many state and national organisations, including many emergency management agencies, community colleges, and fire marshals’ offices. Personnel from many of the federal USAR teams have taken our classes to meet their water training requirements. We are also contributing members of NASAR, SPRAT, and IADRS. Agency references are available upon request.
In the past as well as today the program is dynamic: It continues to evolve as the rescue field changes and develops. Rescue 3 International strives to be on the leading edge both with our curriculum and in our knowledge of the latest and the best technical equipment available. We also endeavour to be pro-active rather than reactive as we teach both our students and instructors. Rescue 3’s mission is to service agencies and rescue programs in the United States and around the world.
Visit Rescue 3 International’s website.
