Aquatic Incident Management Systems Training in South Lake Tahoe

Chad Gillen | March 17th, 2026

Public safety agencies across the United States are increasingly integrating underwater robotics and sonar technology into aquatic search and recovery operations. To support this shift in operational capability, a two-day Aquatic Incident Management Systems (AIMS) training program will take place in South Lake Tahoe, California, April 11–12, 2026.

The training is free for qualified public safety professionals, including police dive teams, sheriff departments, fire rescue units, and search and recovery teams.

Hosted in partnership with Deep Trekker, SKS Solutions, the Placer County Sheriff’s Office, and the CCalifornia Boating Safety Officers Association, the program focuses on practical instruction for integrating remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and side-scan sonar into aquatic incident response workflows.

search and recovery police first responders

The event will combine classroom sessions with on-water exercises designed to replicate real search and recovery scenarios.

Previous AIMS training sessions have been delivered successfully to agencies in Florida and North Dakota, where dive teams have used the training to refine search procedures and incorporate robotics into their operational capabilities.

The South Lake Tahoe program brings this training opportunity to public safety agencies across the western United States.

What Is Aquatic Incident Management Systems (AIMS) Training?

The Aquatic Incident Management System (AIMS) is a structured training program designed to help public safety agencies manage incidents involving water-based search and recovery operations. The program provides responders with a methodical framework for coordinating personnel, equipment, technology, and operational strategy during aquatic incidents, particularly those involving drowning victims or missing persons.

search and recovery police first responders revolution rov

AIMS builds on the Incident Command System (ICS), the national framework used across the United States for emergency management and multi-agency response. ICS establishes a standardized command structure and common terminology so different agencies can coordinate effectively during complex incidents. By applying this model to aquatic environments, AIMS helps ensure that dive teams, boat operators, sonar technicians, and command staff operate within a unified operational structure. AIMS programs also connect participants with a broader professional network, and provide access to regional and national experts who support agencies implementing aquatic incident management practices in their own jurisdictions.

The training emphasizes planning and coordination as much as field operations. Participants learn how to evaluate incident scenes, determine search priorities, assign resources, and manage information flow between operational teams and command personnel. Another core component of the AIMS framework is technology integration.

The upcoming AIMS training in South Lake Tahoe will provide participants with hands-on experience applying these techniques in realistic operational conditions.

FLAIMS 2024 showcased SAR teams integrating ROVs, sonar, and drones, advancing underwater search and recovery with cutting-edge technology.

What Will Participants Learn During the Two-Day Training?

The California AIMS program is designed as an immersive training experience combining technical instruction with practical application. Participants will train on several operational components commonly used during aquatic incidents.

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Incident Scene Assessment and Management

Teams will learn how to evaluate an aquatic incident scene and determine appropriate search strategies. Instruction covers scene control, operational planning, and coordination between sonar operators, ROV pilots, and dive teams.

Side-Scan Sonar Interpretation

Sonar data interpretation is a specialized skill requiring practice and experience. During the course, participants will examine real sonar scans and learn how to identify objects, anomalies, and potential evidence targets.

ROV Deployment and Recovery

Hands-on exercises will allow participants to operate ROV systems used in underwater inspections and search operations. Training will include launch procedures, maneuvering techniques, and target verification.

Evidence Search Planning

Participants will examine structured search strategies that combine sonar scanning, ROV verification, and diver recovery to improve efficiency and maintain evidence integrity. On-Water Scenario Training

In addition to classroom sessions, the program includes practical exercises conducted on the water. These scenarios simulate real response situations and allow teams to apply what they have learned using operational equipment.

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Who Is Leading the AIMS Training Program?

The South Lake Tahoe training will be led by Shane Seagroves, a public safety professional with more than 30 years of operational and emergency management experience. Seagroves has designed and delivered AIMS courses through SKS Solutions, training law enforcement, fire rescue, and search-and-recovery teams across the United States in structured, methodical approaches to underwater search and recovery operations.

Shane has served as an NC Executive Emergency Manager and has worked with the Naval Postgraduate School Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program. Throughout his career, he has trained numerous public safety agencies in modern response techniques for aquatic incidents and technical search operations.

His training programs emphasize practical field application rather than theoretical instruction alone. Participants work directly with equipment and scenario-based exercises designed to reflect real operational challenges faced by dive teams.

How Are ROVs and Sonar Changing Aquatic Incident Response?

Underwater search environments often present challenging conditions for dive teams. Visibility can be less than a few inches in many lakes and rivers due to sediment, algae, or suspended debris. In such environments, divers frequently rely on tactile search patterns rather than visual navigation.

Modern sonar and robotic systems help address these limitations.

Side-scan sonar systems generate acoustic images of the seafloor or lakebed by emitting sound pulses and measuring their return signals. This technology allows operators to detect objects such as vehicles, weapons, or other objects of interest that may be obscured by sediment or darkness.

ROVs complement sonar by providing:

Portability, quick deployment, low logistics
Live ultra-high-definition video feeds
Manipulator arms for evidence interaction
Integrated lighting systems and turbidity filters for low-visibility conditions
Precise navigation, positioning, and waypoint mapping

These tools are increasingly used by public safety agencies across North America. Many case studies from search and recovery operations show that sonar-assisted searches can reduce search time by up to 80% compared with diver-only grid searches, depending on environmental conditions and search area size.

The AIMS training program introduces agencies to operational workflows that integrate these technologies into standard response protocols. You can check out the preview video for the event below, providing an overview of the training format and equipment demonstrations.

Who Should Attend the South Lake Tahoe AIMS Training?

The training is designed specifically for public safety professionals involved in aquatic incident response.

Agencies that will benefit from attending include:

Police dive teams
Sheriff departments
Fire rescue units
Search and rescue teams
Underwater recovery units

Participants will gain practical experience using modern search technologies that support diver operations and improve operational safety. Because the program includes direct equipment interaction and scenario exercises, registration is limited to ensure adequate instructor support and hands-on time for participants.

When and Where Is the AIMS Training Event?

The training will take place over two days in South Lake Tahoe, California.

Dates: April 11–12, 2026 Time: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM each day

Classroom Location: 4130 Lake Tahoe Blvd South Lake Tahoe, CA

The course includes both indoor instruction and outdoor water-based exercises. Lunch will be provided during the training by Deep Trekker.

How Can Public Safety Teams Register for the Training?

Registration is currently open for the South Lake Tahoe AIMS training program. Because the course is offered at no cost to public safety professionals, spaces are expected to fill quickly.

Agencies interested in attending can view event details and register through the official event page:

AIMS California

Public safety teams looking to improve aquatic search capability, reduce diver risk, and incorporate modern robotics and sonar technologies into their operations are encouraged to secure their spot before registration closes.

Resources and Information on AIMS Training Programs

For SAR professionals looking to improve their skills, integrate the latest technology, and collaborate with leading experts, attending an AIMS training event is an invaluable opportunity.

To learn more about how ROVs can improve your SAR missions visit Deep Trekker’s website, and for details on upcoming AIMS courses reach out to SKS Solutions.