FY2012 Arlington Fire Department Annual Report FY 2012 | Page 47

Special Operations
The Special Operations (Spec Ops) Section consists of the Hazardous Materials Response
Team (HMRT), the Swift Water Rescue/ Dive Team (SWRDT), and the Technical Rescue
Team (TRT). Special Operations teams are staffed with highly motivated firefighters that
have completed rigorous training and are equipped with specialized equipment. They are
the Department‘s lead response to non-routine, emergency incidents. To ensure
competence, members undergo over 8,800 total staff hours of specialized training each
year in addition to their regular fire and EMS training. The teams work under a concept of
interdependency, supporting each other in extremely hazardous emergencies.
Comprehensively they are prepared for:
Hazardous Material Releases, including Chemical,
Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNE)
Homeland Security Threat Detection and Mitigation
Swift Water Rescue
Dive Rescue/Recovery
Rope Rescue
Confined Space Rescue
Trench Rescue
Structural Collapse Rescue
Gas Well Response

The HMRT is responsible for responding to
and mitigating a wide range of emergency
incidents involving hazardous materials, from
overturned tanker trucks, to accidental release
of volatile chemicals, to investigation of
suspicious substances. The HMRT is an
integral part of the City’s Homeland Security
CBRNE response plan and works closely with
AFD’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team.
HMRT supports all Special Events by providing
CBRNE detection and response capability.

DUTY

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HONOR

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COMPASSION
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EXCELLENCE

Working Together to Make Arlington Better.