The Dartmouth Police & Fire Water Rescue Team was formally formed in the Fall of 1996 comprising of both sworn Dartmouth Police Officers and volunteers of the Dartmouth FIre Districts #1, #2, & #3 volunteer firefighters. The unit is headed by Off. Michael Gill and Coordinated by Sgt. Peter Faria of the Dartmouth Police.

Presently, there are 12 members of the Unit who train the third Sunday of each month. The training ranges from, mock waster disasters, to ice rescue, which include the Dartmouth Harbor and STAT Ambulance Personnel. The training is never held in the same location twice so that the involved personnel will be familiar with various conditions and locations of potential water rescue sites throughout the town.

The Water Rescue Team also provides demonstrations and Water & Ice Safety programs to the schools and organizations throughout the town.

The Dartmouth Water Rescue Team is kept very busy with 13 miles of coastline, a harbor which hosts the New Bedford Yacht Club, various other lakes, ponds and even an old quarry. The Dartmouth Water Rescue Team has assisted other jurisdictions when requested.

As Officer Mike Gill explains, "Our Mission is simple, to come back with all the divers in the same condition as we started, and to assist, rescue or recover in the safest manner possible for all".