1982

Roco Rescue, Inc. is incorporated in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to provide rescue training and equipment for emergency responders with a focus on structural, industrial and confined space rescue. This is 10 years prior to OSHA issuing its 1910.146 Permit-Required Confined Space regulation. Confined Space Rescue is not yet recognized as a rescue discipline. 

1989

The 1^st Roco Rescue Challenge is held in Port Arthur, Texas, at a local industrial facility. Approximately 16 teams from across the nation participated in the 3-day event. Numerous real-world confined space and high angle scenarios are used to challenge the teams. 

Roco trains the National Park Service in elevated and confined space rescue at the Statute of Liberty in New York. It was an awesome opportunity and included a rappel from base of the Statute of Liberty, which is approximately ten stories. The interior of the statute is a maze of very tight confined spaces, which is filled with tourists every day. 

1990

Roco Rescue begins offering rescue standby services (known as CSRT) to local industry. This service soon spread to nationwide coverage. 

Roco publishes its quarterly newsletter, Rescue Tech, to keep students informed of updates and changes to technical rescue techniques and equipment. 

1993

Following the bombing at the World Trade Center in New York, Roco supports local and federal FEMA teams. The massive explosion carved out a nearly 100-foot crater in the underground parking garage. Soon after, Roco provides its assistance to local agencies as they develop an emergency evacuation and rescue plan for the Trade Center. 

Following a vast number of fatalities in confined spaces, OSHA issues its Permit-Required Confined Space regulation (1910.146). This regulation had a huge impact on Roco’s training and equipment. 

1995

Roco Rescue in conjunction with local emergency response agencies sets an indoor rappel record of 1,392 feet inside the elevator shaft of the World Trade Center. Participating agencies includes NYPD Emergency Services Unit and Port Authority Police. 

Roco supports federal and state USAR FEMA teams at the site of the Oklahoma City bombing incident. FEMA teams from across the nation deploy to the disaster site. 

Roco begins providing daily on-site rescue coverage at a large computer manufacturing complex near Albuquerque, New Mexico. The contract continues for more than 20 years.  

1996

Roco Rescue becomes a certified woman-owned business by the WBENC (Women’s Business Enterprise National Council). 

1997

Roco moves into its new office building and warehouse facility in Baton Rouge at 7077 Exchequer Drive. 

1998

Roco’s Confined Space Types Chart is recognized by OSHA as an effective means of classifying confined spaces for rescue planning and practice purposes.  

1999

Roco develops its rescue certification program for Confined Space Rescue Technician and Rope Rescue Technician based on the professional qualification skills listed in NFPA Standards 1006 and 1670. It also documents team member qualifications as required by OSHA 1910.146 Permit-Required Confined Spaces. The Roco certification program includes individual skills testing and written exam. Upon successful completion, students receive a Roco Certificate of Completion which is valid for a two-year period.  

2001

One month prior to the 9/11 disasters, Roco delivers its first Combat Technical Rescue® course for the US Air Force 24^th Special Tactics Squadron. The 12-day course included technical rope rescue, confined space rescue, and structural collapse rescue.  

During and after the 9/11 disasters, Roco supports local and FEMA rescue teams at the World Trade Center and at the Pentagon with rescue equipment and supplies. 

Kay Goodwyn becomes 100% owner of Roco Rescue. The company continues its efforts to provide the safest, most effective rescue training, services and equipment for emergency responders.  

2005

Roco provides supplies to various local and FEMA teams including Baton Rouge, New Mexico and Vancouver, British Columbia, who were based in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina struck the Louisiana coast. 

2007

Roco opens its premier Roco Rescue Training Center (RTC) near the airport in Baton Rouge. The training prop, designed for high angle and confined space rescue, is the site for training approximately 2500 students per year. Roco continues to train at the facility today. 

2008

Roco receives its first Department of Defense contract from USAF Pararescue for the Guardian Angel Technical Recovery program. The contract includes rescue training (Combat Technical Rescue®) and specialized equipment kits. Training and equipment are delivered across the nation and internationally. 

2010

Roco publishes its online newsletter, Rescue Talk™ — a free resource to share insightful information, news, views and commentary for those interested in topics such as confined space and high angle rescue, trench rescue and other safety-related topics. 

2011

Roco begins providing tactical training and extraction kits to the US Special Operations Command under the CASEVAC program contract. Hundreds of special operations personnel are trained at the Roco Training Center. 

2012

Roco puts our first Boat/Marine Rescue Standby Service in operation on the Mississippi River and local waterways. OSHA requires marine rescue standby during construction, repair and maintenance work on industrial docks.  

2013

OSHA recognizes Roco Rescue as a VPP Star Worksite. The Star Award is the highest level within OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program and is considered one of the nation’s top workplace safety awards. To our knowledge, Roco is the first rescue training, services and equipment company to earn the VPP Star.  

2017

Roco teams with the North Dakota Safety Council to build a Roco-designed rescue training prop for their new campus in Bismarck. It serves as host site for Roco’s rescue courses in the region.  

2019

Roco is contracted by the Louisiana Department of Transportation to develop a confined space program for the State of Louisiana. Confined space workshops and training is then conducted at various regions across the state.

2020

Roco attains ISO-9001 certification which focuses on consistent quality and ever-improving customer service. 

2021

Roco’s Tactical Division instructs various military and law enforcement units in rope access and combat egress, container access, confined space, structural collapse and high-angle search and recovery techniques for tactical environments be it maritime, urban or mountain. The program also includes container access and heavy lift techniques for military and law enforcement EOD teams internationally.

Roco begins providing professional safety services throughout the Gulf Coast region. 

2022

Entergy Corporation awards its Premier Vendor Top Safety award to Roco Rescue for rescue and safety services performed at its various plant sites. 

2023

Roco launches its “Bayou Bucks” program for rescue teams that complete a successful rope rescue. Along with a Roco Outstanding Rope Rescue plaque, the teams are awarded $150 in Roco Bayou Bucks for acquiring equipment or training from Roco.

Roco expands the Roco Training Center in Baton Rouge with new and updated facilities. 

2024

Roco adds a Rescue from Scaffolding training prop at the Roco Training Center. The new addition will provide excellent, real-world training props for emergency responders attending our courses. It will also be used in our Fall Protection classes.