Baldwin County Public Safety Dive Team

09/03/2026

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT RECOGNITION

The Baldwin County Public Safety Dive Team is proud to recognize Firefighter Bradley McGlohon for the successful completion of the last part of his instructor-level training and his continued professional development in public safety diving.

Firefighter McGlohon has successfully completed his instructor certification through Emergency Response Diving International (ERDI) and now holds credentials that allow him to provide instruction across a wide range of diving disciplines.

ERDI Instructor Qualifications
• ERDI- Tender
• ERDI-1 (PSD)
• ERDI-2 (Advanced PSD)
• ERDI- Supervisor

SDI Open Water Instructor Qualifications
• SDI Open Water Diver
• SDI Advanced Open Water Diver
• SDI Rescue Diver
• SDI Divemaster
• SDI Full Face Mask
• SDI Drysuit
• SDI Underwater Navigation
• SDI Peak Performance Buoyancy

FRTI – First Response Training Instructor

In addition to his instructor and ERDI qualifications, Firefighter McGlohon also holds the following certifications through PADI:

PADI Certifications
• PSD Surface Support Specialist
• PADI Divemaster
• PADI Master Scuba Diver
• PADI Public Safety Diver
• PADI Enriched Air (Nitrox) Diver
• PADI Equipment Specialist
• PADI Open Water Diver
• PADI Advanced Open Water Diver
• PADI Rescue Diver
• PADI Aquarium Diver

The completion of these programs represents a significant investment of time, training, education, and practical diving experience. These qualifications further strengthen the training capabilities and operational readiness of the Baldwin County Public Safety Dive Team.

Developing qualified instructors within our organization provides an important resource for the continued education and professional development of our personnel while allowing the team to maintain a high standard of training and preparedness in both recreational and public safety diving disciplines.

08/10/2026

🌊 MEET THE BALDWIN COUNTY PUBLIC SAFETY DIVE TEAM 🌊

When an emergency occurs in or around the water, conditions can change in seconds. Darkness, limited visibility, swift currents, submerged hazards, and unpredictable environments require a specialized team with the training, experience, equipment, and discipline to operate where others cannot.

Baldwin County Public Safety Dive Team is proud to introduce our Public Safety Dive Team.

🚨 DIVE TEAM MEMBERS

Deputy Fire Chief Bradley Towe (Dive Commander)
Deputy Sergeant Brandon Clements (Asst Dive Commander)
Firefighter Bradley McGlohon (Training Coordinator)
Deputy Thomas Coley
Firefighter Donald Vaughn
Firefighter Dylan Amerson
Deputy Daniel Turnipseed
Firefighter Bruce Cowan
Deputy Shawn Isley
Brandon Towe
Corey Goble

🤿 SPECIALIZED TRAINING & CERTIFICATIONS

Every member of the Baldwin County Fire Rescue Dive Team holds a minimum certification as a Public Safety Diver, providing the foundational skills necessary to conduct underwater search and rescue operations in public-safety environments.

Our team's advanced qualifications include:

• ERDI II
• Dive Instructor
• Dive Master
• Master Scuba Diver
• Swiftwater Awareness
• Medical First Responder
• EMT-Intermediate
• EMT-Advanced

Members of the team also maintain additional specialized diving and operational certifications, including:

• Dry Suit Diver
• Full Face Mask Diver
• Nitrox Diver
• Equipment Specialist
• Aquarium Diver
• Open Water Diver
• Advanced Open Water Diver
• Rescue Diver and PSD
• Peak Performance Buoyancy
• Surface Support Specialist
• Hazard Risk Assessment for Dive Professionals I & II
• Emergency Planning for Divers

This extensive range of training provides our team with the knowledge and skills necessary to operate in a variety of aquatic environments and under challenging conditions.

🌊 TRAINED FOR THE CONDITIONS

Our divers may be called upon to search for missing persons, vehicles, evidence, victims, or submerged objects in lakes, rivers, ponds, flooded areas, and other hazardous water environments.

Public Safety Diving is one of the most demanding specialties in emergency response. Divers may operate in zero-visibility conditions, navigate submerged hazards, work in swift or unpredictable water, and perform extended searches while relying heavily on their training, equipment, and fellow team members.

Every dive is a team operation. Every decision matters.

The strength of this team is not simply the number of certifications held. It is the commitment of each member to continuous training, professional development, operational readiness, and the safety of their fellow team members and the citizens we serve.

Baldwin County Dive Team is also proud to have established a strong partnership with our Emergency Medical Services personnel. Through this partnership, a specialized EMS Task Force has been created that trains alongside and deploys with our Public Safety Dive Team during dive operations. These EMTs and Paramedics have completed additional specialized training in the recognition, assessment, and treatment of dive-related injuries and medical emergencies, allowing them to provide immediate and knowledgeable medical support to our divers and patients during complex water rescue operations.

Baldwin County Fire Rescue and Baldwin County Sheriffs Office is proud of the dedication and professionalism demonstrated by these men and women.

When the call comes, our team is prepared to enter, and bring the mission home.

Trained. Prepared. Professional. Ready to Respond.

🌊 When the mission takes us underwater, we go.

08/08/2026

This Afternoon The Baldwin County Public Safety Dive Team was requested to assist Hancock County and local agencies after a fisherman reported what he believed could be a vehicle submerged in the water based on his sonar readings.

Our team deployed multiple search resources, including boat-mounted sonar systems, an AquaEye, and divers conducting systematic arc search patterns. After several hours of thoroughly searching the reported area and beyond , no evidence was found to indicate the presence of a submerged vehicle.

We would like to thank Hancock County, our 911 dispatchers,all assisting agencies, and the local boater who generously volunteered the use of his sonar and LiveScope equipment to aid in the search. The willingness of citizens and partner agencies to work together is invaluable and greatly appreciated.

Thank you to everyone involved for their professionalism, teamwork, and commitment to ensuring a thorough search operation.

07/18/2026

This morning at 7:18 a.m., Baldwin County Dive Team received a request from the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office for assistance from the Baldwin County Public Safety Dive Team regarding a possible vehicle submerged in Lake Sinclair off Highway 16 in Hancock County.

Dive Team members arrived on scene at approximately 8:00 a.m., where they received a briefing and began assisting with the search. Shortly after 9:00 a.m., responders located the victim, and at approximately 9:20 a.m., the submerged vehicle was located. Dive Team members assisted with the recovery operations, and once the mission was complete, all units returned to service.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones affected by this tragic incident. We hope the recovery efforts provide a measure of closure during this incredibly difficult time.

Baldwin County Fire Rescue is always grateful for the opportunity to assist our neighboring agencies when called upon. Working together ensures the best possible service to our communities and helps bring answers and closure to families in times of need.

We would like to thank all agencies that assisted with today’s operation, including the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the Baldwin County Public Safety Dive Team, Hancock Co Coroners Office, and the local wrecker service for their teamwork and professionalism.

All Media information should be sent to Hancock County.

07/03/2026

This morning at approximately 10:30 a.m., the Baldwin County Public Safety Dive Team was requested by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to assist with the search for a missing swimmer in Putnam County.

Using sonar technology by Ga DNR to identify promising search areas, Baldwin County dive team members were able to locate the missing individual at approximately 1:59 p.m. While this was not the outcome anyone had hoped for, we are grateful that efforts helped bring closure to the family.

This operation was a coordinated effort involving the Baldwin County Public Safety Dive Team, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Putnam County Fire Rescue, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, and Putnam County Emergency Medical Services. We appreciate the professionalism, teamwork, and dedication demonstrated by all agencies involved throughout the operation.

Out of respect for the family, no additional information or names will be released by our agency. Please keep the family and all those affected in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

06/27/2026

We expect a busy period on the water from this weekend through next weekend with family and friends. In light of this, we would like to take a moment to remind everyone of crucial safety precautions.

06/25/2026

This evening, members of the Baldwin County Dive Team spent time sharpening their skills with the AquaEye. This valuable tool has proven to be an important asset over the past several years, assisting our team in underwater searches. Continuous training ensures our personnel remain proficient and prepared when called upon to serve our community.

We were also honored to have our Emergency Management Director stop by and join in on the training, demonstrating the strong partnership and teamwork that exists between our agencies.
We appreciate the dedication of all those who continually invest their time in training and professional development to better serve the citizens of Baldwin County.

05/30/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Diver Firefighter Bradley McGlohon! 🎉

Today, Diver Bradley McGlohon the Dive Teams Training Coordinator, successfully completed his Dive Instructor certification, earning credentials to teach Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver, Rescue Diver, Master Scuba Diver, Divemaster, as well as specialty courses including Full Face Mask, Drysuit, Nitrox, Equipment Specialist, Peak Performance Buoyancy, and ERDI Tender.

In just two weeks, Bradley will complete the instructor portion necessary to teach ERDI 1 and ERDI 2.

This achievement is another major step forward for the Baldwin County Public Safety Dive Team. Through the dedication and commitment of our members, we continue to expand our capabilities and strengthen our program. Once this process is complete, our team will have the ability to conduct the vast majority of our dive training and certifications in-house, ensuring our personnel receive high-quality, standardized instruction while reducing training costs and increasing operational readiness.

Please join us in congratulating Bradley on this outstanding accomplishment and his continued commitment to professional development and excellence in public safety diving.

05/21/2026

05/20/2026

Last night's training session prioritized our Surface Support staff(Tenders), specifically focusing on distressed swimmer techniques, which yielded a productive and engaging experience for all participants, who acquired valuable knowledge.