FY2013 Arlington Fire Department Annual Report FY 2013 | Page 21

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
RANDY SCHMELZ
each other in extremely hazardous emergencies. In FY2013, Special
Operations initiated training for natural gas well emergencies. Comprehensively they
are prepared for:
Hazardous Material Releases, including
Chemical,, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear,
and Explosive (CBRNE)

Rope Rescue

HazMat 6

Trench Rescue

Homeland Security Threat Detection and
Mitigation

Structural Collapse Rescue

Swift Water Rescue

Gas Well Response

Confined Space Rescue

Dive Rescue/Recovery

DUTY

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HONOR

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COMPASSION
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EXCELLENCE

Working Together to Make Arlington Better.