05/15/2026
JOINT PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Regional W.E.T. Initiative
14 May 2026
Lake Area Fire Districts are soliciting help in acquiring additional dive equipment to serve the Lake of the Ozarks Region. Project WET (Water Extrication Team) is a joint venture between eight area Fire Districts: Sunrise Beach, Mid County, Gravois, Lake Ozark, Rocky Mount, Moreau, Northwest and Osage Beach.
The Mid County Fire District has, for years, provided a SCUBA diving response team to respond to submerged victims in the lakes, rivers and ponds across the region. Mid County does not charge for the service and provides the capabilities as part of their Mutual Aid offering. As the sole provider of this service, they have struggled to maintain certified divers and tenders and must still protect their own jurisdiction for regular responses such as emergency medical and fire calls.
Despite the strain, they have continued to be vigilant in their commitment and even provide services to events like the Shootout and Shootout Offshore to help raise funds to maintain the equipment. The reality of the situation is often they do not arrive in time to rescue a viable patient, and the operation turns to recovery efforts. The Missouri State Highway Patrol also provides dive services, however, in activating their team it can take three hours or more for them to arrive.
The WET project is an initiative that puts dive equipment in the hands of first due agencies and provides certification training to firefighters willing to take on the role of diver. By providing basic equipment, first due agencies can perform “hasty” or quick dives in depths of less than 25 feet to rescue a potential viable drowning victim. If the operation would require a large area search or deeper dives, these certified first due divers could then be added to efforts by Mid County’s Dive Team to complete search and recovery operations. Thus, the potential to save a life, rather than recover a victim, increases exponentially!
The goal for this initiative is $150,000.00 to outfit two divers and have a spare complete kit for each participating agency. Any leftover funds would go to care and maintenance of the kits and additional equipment like portable sonar units. The kits contain a Ziegel vest, air tank and other necessary equipment for a hasty dive. Each of the participating agencies have committed to a broader, regional, dive response for other agencies not able to participate. This increases the potential for life safety and ensures Mid County has the help they need to continue their dive efforts.
Coordinated through the Lake Area Emergency Services Association (LAESA), grant funding is limited for this type of equipment although being pursued, but help is being asked of by the community through donations to purchase the equipment needed for this much needed addition to our emergency services.
Anyone wishing to donate may do so through by making out a check payable to LAESA. Checks can be mailed or dropped off to any participating agency: Northwest FPD, Osage Beach FPD, Lake Ozark FPD, Sunrise Beach FPD, Mid County FPD, Gravois FPD, Rocky Mounty FPD or the Moreau FPD.
Media and Donation inquiries may be directed to:
Deputy Chief Mark Amsinger – LAESA President – Mid County FPD
