Flood Rescue Boat Operator (FRBO)

About this course
Aimed at: Trained responders who need to operate powered boats in in flood and slow-moving water environments
The Flood Rescue Boat Operator (FRBO) course is designed for emergency service personnel who operate powered rescue boats during flood incidents. It builds upon the foundational skills acquired in the Rescue Boat Operator (RBO) course, adding flood-specific capabilities essential for effective response in flood and slow-moving water scenarios.
Compliance
Rescue 3 Europe standards for powered boat operations in flood scenarios
Who Should Attend?
This course is ideal for:
- Emergency service personnel (e.g., fire and rescue services, mountain rescue teams)
- Voluntary rescue service members
- Individuals involved in flood response operations requiring powered boat handling skills
- Those seeking to enhance their capabilities in flood and slow-moving water rescue scenarios
Course Objectives
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- Identify and mitigate risks specific to flood rescue boat operations
- Conduct dynamic risk assessments in changing flood environments
- Perform pre- and post-launch checks suitable for flooded areas
- Navigate flooded streets, fields, and watercourses safely and efficiently
- Operate powered boats in shallow, fast-moving, and obstacle-filled environments
- Coordinate casualty access, care, and recovery while afloat
- Deploy tow lines, anchors, and stabilisation techniques as needed
- Manage communication
Instruction:
Training is delivered by highly experienced instructors with extensive industry knowledge. Candidates are encouraged to ask questions throughout the course.
- Rescue 3 philosophy
- Water rescue training standards
- Personal equipment
- Dynamic risk assessment and incident size-up
- Pre-planning
- Medical and decontamination considerations
- Navigation and route planning
- Communications
- Crew operational roles
- Multiple boat operations
- Floodwater dynamics and hazards
- Boat, hull and drive types
- Rescue boat equipment
- Pre- and post-trip checks
- Launching and recovery
- Boat handling under power
- Boat handling with paddles
- Towing
- Anchoring/securing
- Wading with boats
- Tethered boats
- Night/poor visibility operations
- Search operations
- Team/personal recovery
- Casualty pick-up and recovery
- Casualty management
- Boat-based conditional rescues
- Transporting loads
- Boat-based stretcher management
- Rescues from elevated positions
- Vehicles in water
- Working with helicopters
Theory and practical.
The course is classroom and water-based.
Pre-Requisites:
Minimum age: 18 years
Prior completion of Swiftwater and Flood First Responder (SFR) or higher and Rescue Boat Operator (RBO)
Course payments
If booking online please follow instructions, payment can be made using debit or credit card. Should you wish to pay by invoice please contact a member of our team and we will be able to process your booking for you. We require either payment or a purchase order at the time of reservation and will issue a formal invoice. Once payment has been successfully processed, we will issue your joining instructions.
Course materials, accreditation, a complimentary light lunch and refreshments throughout the day.
After booking
Our courses vary so timings will be confirmed in your joining instructions. All candidates are required to arrive 15 minutes prior to the course start to register and provide their photographic identification.
Directions
From M5 junction 30 take the A376, at the first roundabout take the second exit on to the A3052. Continue for approximately 1 mile and Westpoint enterance is on the left hand side (also signed as Devon Drivers Centre).
When entering through the main gates take the first turning on the right signed Red One Ltd Headquarters. Red One is the first red brick building on the right. Please park in the spaces on the right prior to the building.
