JACKSON, Mich. — The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office is recruiting volunteers to join its dive team.
The all-volunteer dive team works with local public safety agencies for water rescue, evidence retrieval, and drownings.
The 13-person team has divers who have been members for more than 15 years.
Some now want to stop diving and assist from the surface.
There is no limit to the number of people the Sheriff's Office places on the team.
The office says it simply depends on interest and skill level..
Those who make the team are deputized and attend training throughout the year.
There is training in the summer and winter to make sure the team is ready for all conditions.
"But, if the situation is not safe, divers are not sent," Undersheriff Chris Kuhl said.
The team is not a front-line response, instead they typically work in recovery.
The team has assisted with cars that fall through ice, recovering evidence that’s been thrown in a lake or river, and body recovery after drownings.
While volunteers are expected to provide their own equipment, the sheriff’s office does provide some equipment, such as sonar.
There is a small stipend for team members, and the amount varies based on the number of training sessions and dives attended.
"The stipend is intended to help maintain equipment, and volunteers join the team because they want to help the community," Kuhl said.
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