About & Capabilities
Bridging Rescue Expertise
& Humanitarian Service
Waterborne Relief was founded on a simple principle: communities affected by disaster deserve immediate assistance from trained professionals who are prepared to operate safely and effectively in complex environments.
As floods, hurricanes, and severe weather events continue to impact communities across the world, the need for organized, professional response capability has never been greater.
Waterborne Relief was created to bridge the gap between professional rescue expertise and humanitarian service. By bringing together experienced responders, boat operators, medical personnel, emergency managers, and technical specialists, the organization provides a platform for highly trained professionals to support communities before, during, and after disasters.
As an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Waterborne Relief transforms decades of operational experience into meaningful action—delivering assistance, capability, and hope when communities need it most.
(Pending) NIMS Type III Swiftwater & Flood Search and Rescue
Waterborne Relief maintains a deployable disaster response capability designed to support communities affected by floods, hurricanes, and water-related emergencies. At the core of this capability is a fully deployable team capable of integrating with local, state, tribal, territorial, and federal response efforts.
Operational Capabilities
- • Swiftwater rescue operations
- • Flood search and rescue
- • Boat-based evacuations
- • Technical rope rescue in flood environments
- • Animal rescue and evacuation support
- • Disaster reconnaissance and assessment
- • Community relief distribution
- • Emergency logistics support
- • Incident management support
Team Composition & Logistics
- • Six-person deployable rescue team
- • Dedicated Team Leader
- • Swiftwater Rescue Technicians
- • Rescue Boat Operators
- • Specialized Medical Specialist
- • Self-sufficient for 72 hours
- • Deployable for up to 14 days with resupply
- • Rapid mobilization capability
- • Multi-agency integration capability
Equipment & Resources
- • Rescue boats and outboard motors
- • Technical rescue rigging systems
- • Emergency medical equipment
- • Portable communications systems
- • Satellite communications capability
- • Transportation and logistics assets
- • Water rescue and flood response equipment
- • Vertical Extraction Equipment
Leadership
Eric Riley
Founder & PresidentEric Riley is the Founder and President of Waterborne Relief and Owner of Swiftwater Safety Institute.
For more than two decades, Eric has trained rescuers, firefighters, law enforcement officers, military personnel, emergency managers, and public safety professionals throughout the United States and internationally. His career has focused on flood response, rescue operations, disaster preparedness, and responder development.
Through Waterborne Relief, Eric has combined a lifetime of professional rescue experience with a commitment to humanitarian service, helping communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters.
Scott Solle
Training DirectorScott Solle serves as Training Director for Waterborne Relief and is widely recognized throughout the rescue community for his leadership, operational expertise, and commitment to professional standards.
With decades of experience in technical rescue, swiftwater operations, responder development, and public safety leadership, Scott plays a critical role in ensuring Waterborne Relief maintains the highest standards of readiness, training, and operational effectiveness.
A Network of Experienced Professionals
The strength of Waterborne Relief extends far beyond its leadership.
Through decades of professional relationships developed through rescue operations and training programs, Waterborne Relief has access to a world-class network of instructors, rescue technicians, boat operators, emergency managers, medical specialists, and public safety professionals.
Many members of this network have supported disaster response operations, trained FEMA task forces, instructed special military operations units, and worked alongside fire departments, law enforcement agencies, and emergency management organizations throughout the United States and internationally.
Partnerships
Waterborne Relief believes effective disaster response begins long before a disaster occurs.
Swiftwater Safety Institute (SSI)
As an independent nonprofit organization, Waterborne Relief is strengthened through a strategic relationship with Swiftwater Safety Institute (SSI). For more than twenty years, SSI has trained thousands of responders from fire departments, law enforcement agencies, emergency management organizations, FEMA task forces, military units, search and rescue teams, and public safety agencies throughout the United States and internationally.
This relationship provides Waterborne Relief with access to proven training systems, operational standards, experienced personnel, specialized equipment resources, and a professional network that can be mobilized in support of humanitarian missions.
Agency & Organization Collaboration
In addition to SSI, Waterborne Relief actively seeks partnerships with emergency management agencies, public safety organizations, tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, and private-sector partners committed to improving disaster preparedness and response.
By working together before disaster strikes, we strengthen readiness, expand response capability, and improve outcomes for communities when they need assistance most.