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Water emergencies demand split-second decisions and expert skills. At North Central Water Rescue, we provide professional, high-intensity rescue training to prepare first responders, law enforcement, and emergency personnel for swiftwater and flood rescue scenarios.
As a Rescue 3 Preferred Training Provider, we specialize in real-world, hands-on instruction that goes beyond classroom learning. Our courses are designed to mimic real emergencies, ensuring that participants gain the confidence and capability to execute rescues in high-risk, unpredictable environments.
At North Central Water Rescue, we believe that training saves lives. Every course we offer is built around one core goal: to equip emergency responders with the knowledge, technical skills, and mental preparedness to act fast, stay safe, and save lives in dangerous water conditions. We are committed to delivering the highest level of professional instruction, ensuring that every participant leaves with practical, actionable skills they can rely on in real rescue situations.
Our team consists of seasoned rescue professionals with extensive real-world experience in swiftwater and flood response operations.
Our training is backed by industry-leading methodologies for water rescue, flood response, and rope systems, ensuring that every lesson is practical and effective.
Hands-On, Realistic Training – Our courses are not passive lectures. Every student trains in the water to build confidence in high-stress scenarios.
Customized Instruction – We tailor our courses to meet the specific needs of fire departments, law enforcement agencies, emergency responders, and search-and-rescue teams.
Rescue situations can be unpredictable, but high-quality training makes all the difference. Our goal is to ensure that every rescuer is fully prepared to face swiftwater and flood emergencies with skill and confidence.
For more information or to schedule a course, call North Central Water Rescue at 815-353-2043.
Rescue 3 International Instructor Trainer
Tom Bradtke is a Rescue 3 International Instructor Trainer with more than 27 years of service in the Naperville Fire Department. During his career, he was a key member of the department’s Water Response Team and played an instrumental role in founding the Swiftwater and Flood Response component of the team in 1999.
Background and Experience Drawn to water from an early age, Tom grew up as a competitive swimmer and lifeguard, experiences that shaped his lifelong commitment to water safety and rescue operations. His passion for water rescue led him to become a founding partner of North Central Water Rescue, an organization that has trained over 3,000 professionals. These trainees span a wide range of disciplines, including:
Instructional Philosophy Tom brings extensive real-world experience, technical expertise, and a strong instructional background to every course he teaches. His training style emphasizes safety, practical skills, and operational readiness in challenging water environments.
Personal Life Outside of water rescue, Tom is an avid skier, competitive racer, and alpine race coach. He values time spent with his wife, Jeanine, 3 children, and remains dedicated to both his family and the professional communities he serves.
With over 26 years of dedicated service to the Naperville Fire Department, Chuck brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to North Central Water Rescue as a co-owner. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a deep commitment to public safety and emergency response.
Urban Search and Rescue
In addition to his role at the fire department, Chuck serves as the Rescue Squad Manager for Illinois Task Force One, a premier urban search and rescue team. With 14 years of experience on IL-TF1, he has been an integral part of many complex rescue operations, further honing his skills in emergency management and rescue techniques.
Awards and Recognition
Chuck’s dedication to excellence in the field has been recognized with the prestigious Higgins and Langley Award, honoring IL-TF1’s rescue operations during Hurricane Florence. This accolade underscores his commitment to saving lives and enhancing rescue operations.
Mission and Leadership
Driven by a passion for helping others and enhancing community safety, Chuck continues to lead and innovate in the field of water rescue, ensuring that North Central Water Rescue sets the standard for excellence in service.
Professional Focus
Kevin is a nationally experienced swiftwater and flood rescue instructor focused on responder education, program development, and standards-based training. He is a Swiftwater Rescue Instructor with North Central Water Rescue (NCWR), an affiliate of Rescue 3 International.
Background and Approach
His water rescue background originated with the Naperville Fire Department, where early operational experience helped shape a practical, instruction-centered approach grounded in adult learning principles. Kevin has played a key role in developing and delivering formal swiftwater and flood rescue training aligned with:
Program Development and Interoperability
Through work with Naperville, Illinois Task Force 1 (IL-TF 1), and MABAS, he helped translate operational water rescue capability into structured training programs suitable for both in-state and EMAC response. His instructional focus emphasizes:
Instructional Impact
As an instructor, Kevin has taught students from multiple states, supporting local, regional, statewide, and federal response teams. He has instructed across several states and collaborated with Rescue 3 instructors nationwide, bringing a broad national perspective into each course while emphasizing safety, standardization, and real-world applicability.
Professional Experience
Shane Peitscher has been a member of the Bettendorf Fire Department since 2010 and is currently a Captain. He serves in multiple specialized capacities, including:
Background and Skills
Prior to the Fire service, Shane worked as a PADI certified Divemaster on Maui. This professional diving background contributes to his extensive experience in water-based operations and safety.
Personal Interests
He has two teenagers and enjoys many outdoor activities with them and his wife, Jenn.