The Water Emergency Response Team (W.E.R.T.) known as the “River Rats” began on September 16, 1999 when Hurricane Floyd flooded Pitt County. Sgt. Dobbs, J.P. Stancil, and Alan Barrow worked for four days evacuating victims from areas by boat and transporting supplies by boat for two days. In May of 2000 they attended Rescue 3 International training and became swiftwater/flood rescue technicians. Since that time the team has grown to seventeen members. All members are Rescue 3 International Certified Swiftwater and Flood Rescue Technicians. Nine members are advanced technicians. Members are from PCSO, Fountain Volunteer Fire Department, Charlotte Fire Department, Hayesville Fire Department, and Cherokee Tribal Fire and Rescue. Mike Guzo is also a member of  the PCSO team. Mike is the director of all search and rescue teams in the state for North Carolina Emergency Management.

    In 2001 the team became a state team and in 2005 the team became a F.E.M.A. team. The team maintains all required state and federal rescue team equipment. Among the equipment utilized are four boats, three trucks, hovercraft, jet ski, 18-foot open trailer, and a 26-foot enclosed trailer. The enclosed trailer was obtained in 2005 with the assistance of Noel Lee (County EM Director), Sgt. Andrews, and Homeland Security. The team has been deployed six times by the state and has over 150 rescues and evacuations. Members average over 100 hours of training each year. Volunteer members donate hundreds of hours of their time each year to make the team a success.

    In May of 2005 the Higgins and Langley Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Swiftwater Rescue was presented to PCSO and other state teams that deployed to the mountains to work the floods in September of 2004. This is the highest international award and has been given out four times over a period of ten years. The members are dedicated and committed to helping others in need. We appreciate the support of Sheriff Mac Manning, his administration, and the citizens of Pitt County.  

The Swift Water Rescue Team adopted this logo after their flood rescue efforts during Hurricane Floyd, 1999.	Pitt County Sheriff's Office Water Emergency Response Team	Several Members of the the W.E.R.T. taking part in training in Western North Carolina	A vehicle recovery preformed by the Water Emergency Rescue Team in the murky waters of the Tar River	Rescue Team member J.P. Stancil performing during a Waterfall rescue training exercise.
Waterfall RescueTraining in the swift moving waters of Western North Carolina	Water Emergency Rescue Training on the Nantahala River in the Mountains of North Carolina	Rescue training in the swift water's of the Nantahala River located in the North Carolina Mountains	Helicopter–Aquatic Rescue Training performed in Morganton North Carolina	Helicopter –Aquatic Rescue Training performed in Morganton North Carolina