The State of California suffers more natural disasters than any other state in the country. Moving water kills more Americans each year than fires. The Federal Government has identified the Santa Ana River as one of the waterways incurring the largest potential risk for disaster from flooding west of the Mississippi River.

As the county seat and a leader in Orange County, the City of Santa Ana is actively involved in disaster preparedness. To combat the potential of water related disasters, the Santa Ana Fire Department has established a Type 1 Swift Water Rescue Team. The Water Rescue Team was developed to respond to water rescues occurring in the Santa Ana River, Santiago Creek and other waterways in the City of Santa Ana, Orange County and the State of California.  The Santa Ana Fire Department fields a 24-member Water Rescue Team, with eight members per watch. The Water Rescue Team is compliant with the requirements set forth by the State Office of Emergency Services and has specialized training and equipment to affect a water rescue in the most challenging of emergencies.