Black Hills ROV Team

12/16/2025

Be extra careful this winter, but especially with these warm windy days we have encountered.

⚠️ Warming Temperatures = Dangerous Ice Conditions ⚠️

As temperatures rise, ice on ponds, lakes, and streams becomes unstable and unpredictable. What may look solid can quickly give way, putting people and animals at serious risk.

🐾 For pet owners:
If your pet falls through the ice, do not go after them. Ice rescues are extremely dangerous and often result in multiple victims. Instead, call 911 immediately so trained responders can help.

🚫 Safety reminders:
• Stay off all ice, no ice is safe ice. If you do plan to go out on the ice for recreational purposes, be sure to bring appropriate safety equipment.
• Keep pets on a leash near frozen bodies of water.
• Warn children about the dangers of playing on or near ice.
• Never attempt an ice rescue on your own.

Your safety matters. Please help us prevent a tragic situation by staying off the ice and spreading the word.

09/10/2025

We’re training today off of the swim beach at Pactola Point. We’ll be training in conjunction with the Rapid City / Pennington County Water Rescue Team.

If you’re in the Pactola area and see us, don’t be alarmed. It’s only training and not an actual emergency.
Rapid City Fire Department Pennington County 911 Pennington County Sheriff's Office

05/28/2025

ROV member and RCFD Firefighter/Paramedic Jim Bussell presented at the Regional Tribal Emergency Management Summit this evening.

He shared the vital role of ROVs in rescue and recovery missions and the technology used to make it happen.

This is a deployable resource available to communities across the region.

If you have questions about the ROV and its use or how to request this resource, message us!

04/22/2025

This technology is changing the game for search and rescue underwater!

Well done by these professional fishermen who are experts with this technology!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/189bkTUyY8/?mibextid=wwXIfrn

01/24/2025

JANUARY 23, 2025: Searchers have recovered the bodies of two men from Akaska who have been missing for about a...

01/16/2025

Folks,

We are hearing of unfortunate news in North Central SD of a vehicle going through the ice and 2 individuals drowning. We give our condolences to the loved ones of those individuals. We also wish safety upon the responders who are actively working on the scene near Akaska.

Also locally we are hearing of weakened spots of ice on numerous lakes throughout SD. Please use caution while venturing onto the ice.

Stay safe, have a plan, and let someone know of your plan.

12/12/2024

As the weather begins to cool off and the lakes are freezing up, please use as much caution as possible!

Remember ice is NEVER 100% safe!

11/11/2024

Thank you to those who have served for our freedoms! 🇺🇸

10/02/2024

A good day of training!

07/01/2024

06/26/2024

Be vigilant tomorrow! Eyes to the sky

WED-5:17 PM: Enhanced (3/5) risk for severe thunderstorms Thursday afternoon and evening.

The messaging for Thursday is simple - You only need two things.

1. A way to receive warnings.
2. A plan of action if a warning occurs.

All modes of severe weather are possible tomorrow, including:

Destructive Hail
Damaging Straight Line Winds
Prolific lightning
Tornadoes

Tomorrow will likely not be a historic day. Tomorrow will likely be a day of strong to severe weather in many locations, that could threaten life and property.

Those working outdoors should have the most strict game plan should severe weather occur. Having a safe, sturdy building within 15 minutes would be the best case scenario.

Timeline so far is 2 PM to 10 PM - My only personal editorial on this forecast is that areas north of the Black Hills could see a significantly higher coverage of severe thunderstorms.

More details to come as the atmosphere is sampled over the next 24 hours.