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Fire Operations

Special Operations

Fire Operations

Special Operations

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About

The Special Operations Division is a multi-faceted unit under the Fire Department’s Operations Branch. The division is staffed with two captains who administer the hazardous materials, domestic preparedness, and technical rescue programs and a battalion chief who manages the Urban Search and Rescue program, which is funded by a grant from the Department of Homeland Security. Additionally, two front-line battalion chiefs oversee the boat and heavy rescue programs.

Hazardous materials response

The Special Operations Division of the Sacramento Fire Department supports two Type 1 Hazardous Materials Response Teams. These teams are available locally, regionally or through a mutual aid agreement with the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES). The Sacramento Fire Department provides regional training to members through one of the Northern California Hazardous Materials Specialist training sites.

Technical rescue

The Sacramento Fire Department staffs a regional technical unit at Fire Station 20. This specialty unit, known as Rescue 20, is typed as a “Type I Heavy Rescue” through the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and is available locally, regionally, or statewide through the State Master Fire/Rescue Mutual Aid system.

This capability brings eight highly trained and experienced personnel along with specialized equipment to address emergencies involving high-angle rescue, confined space entry, trench and excavation collapse incidents, structure collapse, and a myriad of technical search capabilities. It is not only available 24/7 for local emergencies but is also recognized and prepared to respond anywhere in the State. In addition, Rescue 20 and Engine 20 are staffed with qualified rescue swimmers which complement the Marine Program for water rescues.

Marine program

The Sacramento Fire Department Marine Program has four Marine Rescue Fire Stations. Vessels are deployed from Fire Stations 2, 5, 8, and 11. These marine assets support the Department’s life safety mission on the American and Sacramento Rivers and many inland waterways.

The Department also sponsors a Type I Flood and Swiftwater Rescue Team through Cal OES. This 16-person team is highly trained in all aspects of water rescue and emergency boat operations and has been deployed throughout California for winter storm events as well as mud and debris flow incidents. The fire department actively participates in drowning prevention and offers life jackets to the public through our loan program and relationship with the California Department of Boating and Waterways.

people in inflatable boat on a flooded street

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Urban Search and Rescue

The Sacramento Fire Department is the sponsoring agency for California Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 7 (CA TF-7), one of the 28 FEMA Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Task Forces in the nation and one of eight in California. Task Force personnel and equipment can be used locally as well as for state and federal US&R deployments.

US&R Task Forces were developed to respond to structural collapse caused by earthquakes after the Mexico City and Lima Prieta earthquakes. Over several decades, the scope of US&R response and capability has grown to include an all hazards response to disasters and catastrophes from human and natural causes. US&R task forces also provide incident support functions and response to preplanned events.

Specialties within CA TF-7 include: collapse rescue, heavy rigging, water rescue, disaster logistics, hazardous materials mitigation, medical stabilization, network communications, disaster canine teams, technical search, and planning. The Task Force is comprised of over 200 highly trained and qualified members who are subject matter experts in their field. Included are members of fire and rescue personnel from the Sacramento Fire Department, Folsom Fire Department, Roseville Fire Department, West Sacramento Fire Department, Cosumnes Community Services District, El Dorado County Fire Protection District, El Dorado Hills Fire Department, Woodland Fire Department, Kaiser Permanente, UC Davis, Sacramento County Airports System, and Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District. The Task Force also contracts with emergency physicians and highly trained structural engineers specializing in post incident stabilization.

a group of firefighters standing in line with two flags over them.

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Sacramento Regional Incident Management Team

Sacramento Fire Department is a proud member of the Sacramento Regional Incident Management Team (IMT). This Type III Regional IMT responds to expanding incidents throughout the Sacramento region from the delta to the Sierra Nevada, providing all hazards incident support through a regional partnership of fire agencies.

Sacramento Community Emergency Response Team

The Sacramento Fire Department sponsors the Sacramento Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). This group of highly dedicated volunteers from the Sacramento area provides community and department support for a variety of events and emergency incidents. Sacramento CERT specializes in companion animal care and management during emergency evacuations. The CERT team also assists the US&R team during deployments and provides assistance for regional events.

Events management

Sacramento Fire Department provides support and safety guidance to our developing lead as the events capital of California. The Fire Department provides an organizational leader as an event liaison and a communication element to increase the management of event needs and coordination.

CA-TF7 has deployed a task force or provided personnel for incident support teams in the following national responses.

National Deployments

List of national deployments by special operations

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