Harrisburg River Rescue and Emergency Services (HRRES) is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, started in 1959, which provides a diverse range of services to the City of Harrisburg and all communities within Dauphin County. HRRES provides water safety education and training for the community and professional rescue personnel, water rescue and emergency response, ice rescue, and emergency boat operations for municipalities and organizations throughout Dauphin County. Our dive team responds to assists with rescue operations, underwater criminal investigations, forensic recovery, and provides law enforcement diver training. The diversity of our members includes training and certification as water rescue personnel, master divers, emergency medical technicians, firefighters, law enforcement officers, and educators.

 
Our Mission: To provide volunteer emergency search and rescue services to persons suffering because of fire, flood, accident or other disaster. These services include water rescue and patrol, dive rescue and recovery, special fire police services, emergency first response services, water-pumping and related services, and fire and rescue services to the public. The Corporation also provides emergency search and rescue equipment and facilities to governmental agencies and other organizations assisting persons in distress, and provides emergency search and rescue services to persons in distress on area waters. The Corporation offers courses that promote safety on area waters, and offers training to the general public and to emergency personnel on boating safety and water rescue.

Our Motto: We would rather save than search.

While there are many water rescue teams in existence, River Rescue, is widely considered one of the best equipped and best trained all-volunteer units in and around the state of Pennsylvania.

In September of 2011, HRRES was forced out of its station on Cameron Street during the flooding from Tropical Storm Lee while responding to evacuation and rescue operations in Highspire, Hummelstown, Hershey, and the City of Harrisburg. Volunteers slept in sleeping bags on the concrete floor of a warehouse for 3 nights during the storm. For 2 1/2 years after the flood, HRRES operated from a small leased space in the back of the former Brenner Dodge building on Paxton and 18th streets until purchasing a warehouse located at 725 S. 22nd Street in Harrisburg. In addition to serving as base for our apparatus, equipment, and offices, it will serve as a training center and emergency shelter. However, in order to operate efficiently and better serve the community facility upgrades are needed.

Phase 1 of the renovation project began in July of 2015 and will include the demolition of an interior wall and loading dock as well as the installation of larger garage bay doors that will now be automatically controlled.

Phase 2 of the renovation project, includes the installation of a new Chief's office and Business office, a small training room, and a shower facility that serves as a decontamination area. It includes the demolition of the previous offices and construction of new ADA compliant restrooms along with a kitchenette area. This phase will also include the upgrade of the electrical system and the installation of a security key fab system for all exterior and office doors.

Phase 3 of the renovation project, includes renovation of the former showroom into a large multi-purpose room enable to be used for training, meeting space, and social gatherings. As part of this phase a new HVAC system will need to be installed in order to comply with Code Requirements. A building management system will also be installed in order to effeciently control the HVAC system. The large multi-purpose room can then be used as an emergency shelter during a time of crisis or as a command center for emergency repsonders and public officials.