About Us


Many of you are often surprised to realize that Harrisburg River Rescue and Emergency Services (HRRES) is comprised of 100% volunteers, and just as it was when formed in 1959, none of our members receive payment for their services. As a result of the dedication of our volunteer river rescue personnel, we are proud to provide 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 through Dauphin County. Our dive team responds to and 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 with no impact on your property taxes. 

Your local volunteers responded to over 50 emergency calls one average each year. Those calls include rescues at the Dock Street Dam, boaters in distress, stranded motorists during street flooding, search and recovery operations, and mutual aid to the surrounding communities. Additionally, they have participated in many community and charitable events with organizations throughout the city and region. 

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. We were able to purchase a building in April of 2014 at 725 South 22nd Street, Harrisburg and are now seeking funds to renovate the building that serves as our headquarters. In addition to serving as base for our apparatus, equipment, and offices, we are hopeful with the support of the community, we will be able to continue the renovations necessary for our location to serve as a community training center, emergency shelter, as well as a community gathering space for meetings and events.