FAQs

GENERAL INFORMATION

In May, 1982, Roco Rescue was incorporated in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to provide rescue training and equipment for emergency responders with a focus on structural, industrial and confined space rescue.

Roco is not an acronym. It is the combination of the two last names of the original founding members back in 1982 (Roop and Cook) (i.e., pronounced Rō-cō).  As Louisiana Police SWAT members, they were tasked with developing high angle rope techniques for the LSP. Once they began using the specialized skills, word spread rapidly, and they were soon teaching local fire departments and other agencies across the nation. They soon formed a company (Roco) to offer rescue training and specialized equipment.

Today, Roco is 100% owned by Kay Goodwyn, who has been with the company since 1983. Roco has been a WBENC certified woman-owned small business since 1996.

Mission: Roco sets the standard for saving lives and keeping rescuers safe.

Motto: There’s a safe way, and a safer way!

Vision: To provide the highest quality training, equipment and services, while treating our customers and fellow employees with courtesy, honesty and respect.

Scripture: “May the God of peace equip you with everything good for doing His will – and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” – Hebrews 13:20 NIV

Roco is a proud OSHA VPP Star Worksite and has been since 2013. The Star designation is OSHA’s highest award level and is one of the nation’s top safety recognitions. The OSHA Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) is designed to promote effective worksite-based safety and health. To our knowledge, Roco is the first rescue training, services and equipment company to earn the VPP Star.

We are proud to have achieved the following designations:

  • Certified by the WBENC as a Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (1996)
  • Recognized as an OSHA VPP Star Worksite (2013)
  • Certified to ISO 9001:2015 (2020)
  • Served as a Department of Defense Contractor (2008)
  • For additional information, refer to Milestones.

Roco trains approximately 2,500 students per year. Our students come from fire and police departments, industrial rescue teams and the U.S. military. Since 1982, we have trained approximately 78,000 students from around the globe.

TRAINING

We offer a wide variety of confined space and high angle rope rescue training, fall protection, tower work and rescue, trench rescue and other specialized disciplines. We offer First Aid/CPR/AED/EMR training as well as Confined Space Entrant, Attendant and Supervisor courses. Courses can be customized to fit the customer’s schedule and specific needs. For more information, see Course Descriptions.

Many of our “open enrollment” classes as well as private training sessions are conducted at the Roco Training Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The facility includes a unique 5-story prop designed specifically for high angle, confined space, fall protection, scaffolding rescue and trench rescue. Training can also be conducted at the customer’s site or chosen location. Some of the more unusual sites where we have trained includes the Statue of Liberty, the World Trade Center and Hoover Dam, to name a few.

Our Roco Training Center (RTC) is located near the Baton Rouge Metro Airport (BTR) and across from the Baton Rouge Fire Department Headquarters at 8274 Merle Gustafson Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70807. This is in north Baton Rouge and just off Harding Blvd.

NOTE: The Roco Training Center is NOT located at our Headquarters location in south Baton Rouge.

Typical “open enrollment” class hours are 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (unless otherwise noted). Private course start times are based on customer’s request.

Dress code includes comfortable work clothing (long pants) with ankle-supportive footwear in addition to required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which the student is expected to provide.  Refer to next question for additional information.

  • Helmet with chinstrap
  • Durable gloves
  • Headlamp or flashlight
  • Safety glasses
  • Ear protection (as needed)
  • Comfortable work clothing (long pants required)
  • Ankle-supportive footwear (steel-toe preferred, no sneakers or sandals)
  • Thermos or cooler for breaks
  • Raingear highly recommended

NOTES:
(a) Roco provides rescue harnesses, rope and hardware.
(b) Students must provide necessary personal protective equipment (PPE).
(b) In summer months, it is extremely hot and humid in south Louisiana.

One of the best things you can do is to download our “Rescue Knots for Roco Students” and practice tying the knots. Detailed Study Guides are provided at the beginning of class. Another reference available for purchase is the Roco Rescue Pocket Guide, which features most of the techniques taught in our classes.

Open-enrollment (open to public) courses are conducted throughout the year. These pre-scheduled classes are perfect if you are training only one or two people. They provide a great way to train new team members. Privately scheduled courses are conducted exclusively for one customer with their choice of dates, times and locations. Any of our programs can be customized to fit the client’s needs as a private course.

Do you want or need Rescue Technician certification? If so, we offer Confined Space Rescue and Rope Rescue Technician certifications based on the guidelines of NFPA 1006 Technical Rescue Professional Qualifications Standard in our Fast-Track™ and technician level programs.

If certification is not a key factor, we suggest starting with our Rescue Essentials™ course. You can always come back later and complete your certification. For more information, check out our Roco Training Path chart and Where Do I Start.

Roco “Certificates of Completion” are provided to students successfully completing our courses. For open-enrollment courses, certificates are normally provided at the end of the class. For private training courses, certificates are mailed to the client contact following the class.

For Rescue Technician certification programs based on NFPA standards, student test scores and certificates are mailed within four (4) weeks following the course. Students successfully passing both the skills performance and written testing will receive a Roco “Rescue Technician” wallet card in addition to a course certificate.

Roco’s Rescue Technician certification program is based on the skills requirements of NFPA 1006 Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications. It also covers the individual rescuer skills listed in NFPA 1670 Standards on Operations and Training for Technical Search and Rescue Incidents.

In addition, Roco’s certification to a national consensus standard such as NFPA provides excellent documentation for meeting the individual skills proficiency requirements as required by OSHA 1910.146 Permit-Required Confined Spaces. The practical and realistic performance scenarios conducted in our courses also document rescue practice as required by 1910.146.

Roco certifications are valid for a period of two (2) years. NFPA does not prescribe a set time period for this.

Every effort is made to give students adequate hands-on practice time. However, if a skill is not successfully completed during testing, one additional attempt is allowed. For written testing, participants are given an opportunity to re-take the exam online. Otherwise, the certification program must be repeated. Again, Roco certification is valid for two years.

EQUIPMENT

First of all, we only use rescue equipment that is tested and proven. Our rescue gear is used on a daily basis by Roco instructors and rescue standby team members. We rely on and believe in the equipment we provide to our customers.

Check out our Shop as we represent all the leading manufacturers of rescue equipment. If you don’t see what you were looking for, please call our office at 800-647-7626 or email us at info@RocoRescue.com. Most likely, we can get it for you!

It’s easy. You can call our office at 800-647-7626 or email your list to info@rocorescue.com. Or you can use “Request a Quote” on our website by going to the Shop section. And you can fax your equipment list to 225-754-7626.

  • Equipment: Net 30 days with approved credit; otherwise, VISA, MasterCard and American Express are accepted.
  • Training (Open-Enrollment): Prepaid to reserve a space in the course.
  • Training (Privately Scheduled): Due Upon Completion.
  • Services: Net 30 days with approved credit.

Stocked inventory orders generally ship the same day if order is received prior to 2:00 pm Central Time, Monday through Friday. “Special order” lead times will be verified with the manufacturer at time of inquiry/order.

Our rescue personnel will be glad to assist you in recommending an equipment list. If you’re not sure what you need, simply call our office at 800-647-7626 or email info@RocoRescue.com. All Roco equipment kits can be customized to fit your specific needs. We want you to get the right equipment for the job, so don’t hesitate to contact us.

Absolutely. Roco kits are designed by our rescue personnel to make equipment selection and deployment easier for our customers. Modifications may be made to any of our equipment kits.

RETURNS AND WARRANTY

New (unused) equipment may be returned within 30 days with proof of purchase. Does not apply to special order items.

Notice: Because our products are life safety items, they cannot be re-sold once used or unpackaged.

Warranties vary by manufacturer, but most warranties are designed to cover defects in materials and workmanship for a specified period of time. Check the manufacturer’s specifications or contact Roco for assistance at (800) 647-7626.

SERVICES AND CSRT

Nationwide Availability:

Baton Rouge Regional Area Only:

Yes, we conduct service jobs from 1 day to multiple years. In fact, we spent 20+ years at one manufacturing facility in New Mexico.

Roco Standby Rescue Services can be used as “stand alone” emergency response services or supplement your rescue team during turnarounds or other busy seasons. Our teams are available for long-or-short term jobs and include trained, equipped and experienced emergency responders. Most of our personnel are EMT’s and/or COSS (Certified Occupational Safety Specialists). Services are available on a nationwide basis. For more information, contact our office at (800) 647-7626 or info@RocoRescue.com.