Technical Rescue
Technical rescue incidents ranges from entrapped parties in an elevator to below grade rescues. The vehicles and personnel that deal with these type of calls include Rescue 1, Rescue 2, US&R 2, Heavy Rescue 2, and Tactical Rescue 8. Any call that deals with rescuing people will be handled by them. Rescues 1 and 2 were specifically designed to be a command center and suit-up area for the firefighters, while US&R 2 was designed to haul the majority of the equipment. In addition, the cranes on HR 2 and Tac8 have proven to be useful on numerous occasions and are assets that can be called upon by neighboring departments. All members are trained in advanced extrication, high angle rescue, low angle rescue, confined space rescue, below grade rescue, collapse, FAST, rope rescue, swift water rescue, and trench rescue. Also, all members are certified Hazmat Technicians with the Captains and Engineers are certified Hazmat Specialists to aid with the extrication of contaminated people from a hotzone.
The Rescue apparatus has a very interesting history. The first rescue team was established in 1962 as a specialized group of men that had unique tools for rescuing both trapped civilians and firefighters and was originally stationed at Station 1 and designated Rescue 1. Their first apparatus was a Pickup-truck with a covered rear. As time went on, much more equipment was placed on the truck due to new techniques and new equipment. In 1978, a larger apparatus was purchased, a Mack CF rescue. Twelve years later, that truck was out grown and in 1990, the first tandem-axle Pierce Arrow rescue was purchased. After the events of 9/11, the department reevaluated its Standard of Operations (SOP's) and determined that Rescue 1 did not contain sufficient equipment and personnel to deal with large scale collapse incidents. With many buildings over 50 feet, collapse rescue was something that needed more focus. Hence, the department purchased a converted bread truck to carry shoring equipment and other collapse equipment. In 2005, a new station was proposed for Rescue 1 and the new Squad 1, and the two rigs moved to the Special Hazards Station in Summer 2005. Eventually, in 2007, a brand new Pierce Velocity rescue was delivered and replaced both the 1990 Pierce Arrow rescue and the collapse rig. While the first half contained the walk-in section, the rear half of the apparatus contained shoring equipment. Also, the call-sign Rescue 1 was replaced by US&R 1. However, the 2007 rescue lasted only 8 years, as the weight of the vehicle took its toll on the apparatus rather quickly. In addition, the number of calls that the rescue company responded to in this period skyrocketed as compared to previous generations. This led to department to evaluate viable options in replacing the 2007 Pierce Velocity apparatus. The department knew that more equipment storage was mandatory, as new tools and techniques come up everyday. However, weight restrictions limited the conversations until the Chief of the Department brought up the idea to try a tiller truck without the aerial. After all, the truck companies of the city carry many heavy, bulky tools in addition to the ladders, but only need to be replaced once every 10 years. He also pointed to examples in Orange, CA and Portland, OR fire departments which had just employed a tiller rescue. This convinced the board to purchase a tiller rescue. Midway through the planning stages, an incident occurred where heavy objects could not be lifted to free a trapped individual and an outside contractor was hired to complete the job. Though the rescue was successful and the individual escaped with only minor injuries, the Rescue Battalion chief requested if the new apparatus could have a mounted crane to prevent delay of time of hiring a contractor and waiting for him to arrive. This wish was fulfilled and an IMT crane was added to the new tiller rescue .
In January 2015, Rescue 1 was re-established and stationed at Station 1. In December 2016, Rescue 2 was established to aid in covering the recently annexed city of Sequoia and Blue Hills Township. In addition, US&R 1 was renamed to US&R 2 to reflect where the apparatus is located.
In 2017, several new pieces of apparatus were added to increase the capabilities of the technical rescue branch of the department. These include Heavy Rescue 2, a heavy duty rotator to assist with lifting heavy objects, and Tactical Rescue 8, a 4x4 unit to assist with water and dive rescues. In addition, the department brought back the 2007 Pierce Velocity Heavy Rescue that previously served Castle Beach Fire as US&R 1. However, during its trip to Appleton, WI, the mechanic driving the apparatus got into an accident and sustained heavy damage to the cab. Because of this unfortunate accident, the body will be refurbished and placed onto a stock Pierce Arrow XT chassis that has been sitting at the dealer for a while.