The Rockford Fire Department has a 22-member water rescue team. The team is comprised of firefighters who have completed specialized training in dive rescue procedures. The team can complete swift water, under ice and surface ice rescue, as well as general water rescue. The rescue divers have PADI certifications in Basic and Advanced Open Water, Night Diver, Search and Rescue, Dry Suit, and Ice Diver.
The dive team responds to all bodies of water within the city limits as well as a 50-mile radius as part of the Winnebago County Water Rescue and Recovery Team.