"Budget"The Kracken:Why would not public service departments just utilize qualified individuals for search and recovery, volunteers if you would. Are there legal implications?
Some departments do contract outside for "Search & Recovery" but it doesn't work well for "Rescue".
It's easy to get in-house people qualified if the department believes in and supports diving operations.
Some of the things needed over and above training and equipment are:
Take home vehicles, An in-house (not private) paging system and team members that don't go home and start popping the beers.
Gary D.