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Download the video HERE.
“Standing here today, on the ground where this facility will be built, I am reminded of why we do this work.”
Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, alongside the Harris County Office of the County Engineer and partners, broke ground today on Harris County’s first dedicated Swiftwater Rescue Training Facility — the first facility of its kind in the region.
In 2017, Sheriff Gonzalez was only months into office when Hurricane Harvey overwhelmed our county. He was one of thousands of first responders who, with no formal training, waded into rising water to bring neighbors home safely. That day taught Harris County a hard truth: resilience alone isn’t enough. Preparedness is what saves lives.
Today, that lesson becomes a facility — one where our first responders will train together in water rescue, entrapment avoidance, and team coordination, so they’re ready long before the next storm ever forms.
This wouldn’t be possible without Harris County Commissioners Court, the voters who approved the bonds that funded this project, County Engineer Dr. Milton Rahman and his team, and HCSO’s own Mike Lee and Sean Williams, who championed this project from day one.
Today we break ground. Soon, we open doors. And when the next storm comes — Harris County will be ready.
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