Special Operations Team

Technical Rescue Operations Team

Rope Rescue - Victims trapped or injured above or below grade or in areas only accessible with ropes and rope systems. A hiker falling from a rock ledge is a common cause.

Confined Space Rescue - OSHA defines a confined space as an area large enough and configured so a person can enter to perform work with limited means for entry or exit, and that is not designed for continuous human occupancy. Working in these environments is sometimes necessary, but always includes hazards that can be atmospheric, physical (engulfment or unstable debris) or environmental (temperature extremes, darkness, dust, etc.).

Trench Rescue - A trench is by definition (1) deeper than it is wide, and (2) less than 15 feet wide. Unfortunately, in the U.S. between 100 and 200 people die, and nearly 3,000 are injured in excavation emergencies annually. The most common accident is the collapse of the dirt walls onto someone. Due to the extreme hazard involved in working in this environment, each of these situations requires special removal techniques and equipment.

Structural Collapse - This area of technical rescue involves the access, treatment and removal of victims of building collapse. Explosions, natural disasters and terrorist actions are only a few of the possible causes of a collapse. The structure or building will usually require shoring or supplemental support systems that prevent or limit further collapse. Specialized search cameras and trained rescue technicians search void spaces with the collapse area to locate victims and then teams of rescue personnel work to uncover or access, treat and remove the victim.

Hazardous Materials Response Team

A hazardous material (HM) is any one of thousands of chemicals, substances, or waste that if misused or released from its proper container or packaging, poses an unreasonable risk to one’s health and safety, and the environment.

The Hudson Fire Department routinely handles minor hazardous materials spills such as automotive antifreeze, fuels, and oils associated with motor vehicle crashes and other minor accidents. Larger HM releases and those of a greater threat to health and property require a response by the Summit County Hazardous Materials Response Team (SCHMRT). The SCHMRT is comprised of select individuals from most of the fire departments in Summit County. Hudson Fire supports the SCHMRT with ten of its members who undergo a minimum of 80 hours of training to be certified as a hazardous materials technician. Three response vehicles and the large amount of equipment required to support the team are owned and maintained by Summit County while the individual fire departments providing participating members bear the entire cost of the personnel required to handle HM responses and the ongoing training.

The Hudson Fire Department team, and equipment distributed throughout Summit County, respond to HM incidents to minimize the impact on both the health and safety of the citizens of Summit County and the environment. This is accomplished primarily through stoppage and containment of the HM release. On rare occasion, evacuation of citizens from areas likely to be affected by a HM release may be required. In lieu of evacuation, there may be times where an alternative to provide for citizen safety is accomplished by means of what is known as “protect-in-place” or PIP. PIP is indicated when a citizen’s safety is provided for by simply staying indoors, whether at home or at work. It will usually require keeping windows and doors shut and turning off the heating, air conditioning, and ventilation systems. Regardless, if you are informed of an accidental hazardous material release in your community, tune to the local TV and radio stations, and follow the directions issued. Your cooperation will assist in providing for your safety as well as the safety of the community.