SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom recently announced California is deploying a new wave of swiftwater rescue vehicles, boats, and specialized equipment to 13 local fire departments across the state, strengthening California’s ability to rapidly respond to flooding and water rescues ahead of a potentially significant El Ni?o-driven storm season.

The new equipment will modernize California’s fleet of specialized Swiftwater Rescue Teams, which can be deployed through the California Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid System to support communities facing flash flooding, flooded roadways, fast-moving rivers, and other dangerous water emergencies.

That statewide system allows communities to call on additional personnel and equipment when an emergency exceeds local capacity, bringing critical resources from elsewhere in California to where they are needed.