Warsaw Police Department Dive Team was awarded several community grants to obtain new dive equipment. The team plans on using the $41,567 to serve the county’s 102 lakes in case of emergency. Grant funds were given by the K21 Health Foundation, Kosciusko County Community Foundation and the Kosciusko REMC Operation Round-Up grant, according to the WPD. The funds were used to purchase a new RescueONE® Connector Boat® dive boat as the WPD realized the current inflatable boat was not adequate for multiple divers and dive command operations had to be done from shore. The team had to often rely on civilian boats for support. This boat will carry four fully outfitted divers and two support personnel, or eight personnel without equipment. The boat is equipped with StiffBACK® double hull design that increases safety and durability. The boat can form a floating platform for dive operations. The boat is powered by a RescueONE® ProPower® motor that is enhanced with electronic features helpful to emergency responders. The team also obtained a Rescue ONE® TwinTransport® trailer. The double-stack trailer can hold both boats the team has and can be pulled by a standard half-ton vehicle. The WPD’s current Humminbird® side scan sonar has been upgraded to 360 imaging, allowing users to search up to 150 feet in front of the sonar pod in any direction. The WPD dive team has been in existence for 38 years and responds to water emergencies within the city of Warsaw and throughout Northeast Indiana.
