About US

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The National Rescue & Response Institute (NRRI), founded by Joseph Vulpis and Matt Novellino, was formed to meet the needs of the general public, but mainly government workers who are looking for specialized, technical training and credentials. It was originally formed in 2008 as a mountain guiding outfit with a Professional Services Division, but due to governmental agency requirements, it was transformed into the National Rescue & Response Institute. 

Joseph and Matt were owners of local mountain guiding outfitter and several other industry related organizations, along with being remote rescue operations specialists with the DOD, DOJ and DHS. We have formalized the new SWR, MR and RO directives with various government based departments being put into use in 2024.

The NRRI offers training and certifications in several disciplines: water rescue (swiftwater, floodwater, USCG rescue swimmer), search & rescue (ground & wilderness), mountain rescue, tactical (for LE & military), wilderness & remote medicine, human trafficking, fugitive apprehension (remote), man-tracking (SAR, LE & military), aerial operations and much more! We have 2 fully operational facilities opening soon! One is based in New Jersey  and the other is based in Washington DC. Both have a 40' by 100' swiftwater pool, 6 indoor classrooms and helicopter operations pads and rescue pools.

All of our instructors have decades of law enforcement, military and/or rescue experience. Our instructors are full-time professionals and have worked and trained some of the best professionals in our country. We work daily with LE, FD, SAR, MR, DOD, DOJ and DHS agencies conducting various types of training.  

We offer training in various disciplines, but can also provide a customized program to meet your agency or organization's needs and/or responding criteria. Our training and certifications are Nationally recognized.