LAW ENFORCEMENT

The Kings County Sheriff’s Office Water Rescue Unit (WRU) is a full-service specialty unit within the Kings County Sheriff’s Office responsible for boating and water recreation law    enforcement and rescue-recovery operations within Kings County. The law enforcement     aspect of the Water Rescue Unit is the enforcement of laws and regulations relating to the operation of watercraft and recreational activity within the County of Kings. The unit patrols by various watercraft the Kings River and land areas adjacent to an around the Kings River utilizing specialty ATV equipment and 4-wheel drive vehicles. The unit primarily enforces the California Harbors and Navigation Code, California Code of Regulations Title 14, Federal Code of Regulations 33 USC, California Penal Code, California Vehicle Code, California Fish & Game Codes and those provisions of Kings County Ordinances that relate to water-born activities and related areas. 

WATER RESCUE & RECOVERY

The Kings County Sheriff's Office Water Rescue Unit originated in 1979 and was brought about due to the need for underwater recovery in and around the numerous irrigation canals, the Kings River, and the California Aqua-Duct in Kings County.

Today the Kings County Sheriff's Water Rescue Unit consists of 10 members, all of which are full time Deputy Sheriffs and who are all certified as “Public Safety Divers.” The Water Rescue Unit is available 24 hrs. a day, 365 days a year for water related incidents and/or mutual aid  assistance from any number of neighboring law enforcement or rescue agencies. The Water Rescue Unit conducts regular monthly training in order to keep optimal proficiency.

The Water Rescue Unit is qualified and proficient in the following:

· Underwater Recovery

· Swift Water Rescue

· Underwater Property/Evidence Retrieval

· Jet Boat Operations

· Standard Prop Boat Operations

· Inflatable Rapid Deploy Boat Operations

· Personal Watercraft Operations

· All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV – Side by Side) Operations

In addition to our law enforcement and water rescue operations, our unit is available for water safety presentations to schools, civic

WATER RESCUE UNIT EQUIPMENT & VEHICLES

The Water Rescue Unit currently has three patrol vessels and two personal watercraft that are used for patrol and rescue/recovery operations. The vessels are fully equipped with navigation radar, depth finder and communication radio and rescue equipment. The vessels can    accommodate up to eight passengers with room in the center of the cockpit for a medical board. In addition to our waterborne equipment, the Water Rescue Unit also has at its disposal, 4-wheel drive vehicles, ATV’s and a Chevrolet 5500 Top Kick Bus which serves as the main response vehicle. This response bus houses all dive and rescue gear and  communications equipment that enables the unit to conduct, deploy to, and maintain lengthy missions if need be. Furthermore, each individual team member is outfitted with a complete set of dive/water rescue-recovery gear which is tailored to the diving environment expected in our region. This personal gear includes buoyancy control systems (BC) wet/dry suits, public safety full face mask (FFL), fins, gloves and other miscellaneous equipment necessary for successfully completing required missions.

FAQ’S

Where do you dive and conduct water rescue operations in Kings County?

The Kings River flows through Kings County from the northeast to the southwest. The entire stretch of river is used by the public for fishing, boating, personal watercraft, and swimming. Necessary diving and water rescue operations can be conducted in the Kings River, the California Aqueduct and any of the hundreds of canals and standing water basins in Kings County.

Are there any public river access areas or public boat ramps in Kings County?

The short answer is, no. Most river access in Kings County utilized for recreational and boating activity is privately owned or controlled by the Kings River Conservation District. It is necessary and recommended to gain the permission of the landowner or Kings River Conservation District to access most of the Kings River in Kings County. It is illegal to access the Kings River utilizing levees maintained by the Kings River Conservation District. Those contacted driving on these controlled levees or trespassing on private property may be cited.

Want kind of water recreation occurs in Kings County?

Kings county offers limited areas where the public can access the Kings River in the north   county and the marshy lowland river areas in the south county. Many people utilize the         waterways in Kings County to boat, fish and float utilizing inner tubes and other inflatable     devices. It is highly recommended that all persons utilizing the waterways in Kings County for recreational purposes utilize and possess proper personal floatation devices for themselves and all minors.

I want to go “floating” in the Kings River, what should I use?

Although we cannot recommend a specific type of floatation device to utilize while “floating” we do recommend every person who floats in the Kings River or other waterway utilize a Coast Guard Approved floatation device. If you are utilizing rafts or other inflatable devices to float, it is highly recommended that high quality, puncture resistant inflatable devices are utilized. Cheap, non-heavy duty inflatable devices designed for pool use are not recommended for floating in the Kings River or any other waterway in Kings County.

Does water flow in the Kings River year-round?

Typically, no. However, on heavy water and rain years there may be large amounts of residual water left in the low areas of the river. The water in the Kings River located in Kings County comes from Fresno County’s Pine Flat Dam and the snow run-off of the upper Kings River. The majority of water flows in our area from the months of April to October with peak amounts of water flowing typically from May through July.

Do people utilize the Kings River in Kings County when there is no water in it?

Yes they do! The river bottom when accessed legally, is a wonderful place to hike, explore, dog walk and conduct equestrian activities. Warning! No motorized vehicles are allowed in the Kings River per Kings County Ordinance 23-24. This includes ATV’s, Side by Sides, Cars, Trucks or any other motorized vehicles.

WATER RESCUE UNIT CONTACT INFORMATION:

Kings County Sheriff Dispatch – (559) 852-2720

Sergeant Jeremiah Gilson

Water Rescue Unit Supervisor – (559) 469-2872

Commander David Dodd

Water Rescue Unit Commander – (559) 852-2781

HELPFUL LINKS & RESOURCES:

California Division of Boating and Waterways