The Chautauqua County Water Emergency Team (C.C.W.E.T.) is a sixteen member unit comprised of eight Sheriff's Office and eight Fire Service personnel operating under the direction and command of the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office.

Members of the C.C.W.E.T. are trained and equipped for rapid responses to all type of water related emergencies and incidents, including surface and sub-surfaced rescues and recoveries in open water, swift water and ice/cold water environments.

C.C.W.E.T. is also utilized to locate and document underwater crime scenes, recover evidence and contraband, locate and/or remove safety and navigation hazards and provide assistance and support to other government and public safety agencies during marine fires, boating accidents, hazardous material spills or rescue operations.

The C.C.W.E.T. has personnel trained and equipped in the following categories:

The C.C.W.E.T. operates a fully equipped emergency response vehicle, a rigid hull inflatable outboard rescue boat and a personal water craft. Other team resources include floatation stretchers, an ice rescue sled, an underwater vehicle recovery lift bag salvage system and underwater communications equipment.

Emergency requests for the C.C.W.E.T. may be made to the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office Dispatch Center in Mayville by any public safety incident commander. Dispatch personnel are authorized to activate the team any time they determine that the potential for a life-saving rescue exists. Non-emergency requests, out of County requests and the use of Sheriff's Office vehicles, vessels and aircraft for deployment or insertion of C.C.W.E.T. personnel must be authorized by the C.C.W.E.T. Team Leader, the Emergency Response Team Leader, the Sheriff or his designee.