Mission Statement
The Fort Lauderdale Fire-Rescue Technical Rescue Team
(TRT) is committed to hard work and continuous training
to provide citizens and visitors of the City of Fort Lauderdale,
Broward County, and the state of Florida with a truly
dedicated, knowledgeable and well-equipped specialty team.
This achievement is made possible through the hard work
and cooperation of team members and of the Fort Lauderdale
Fire-Rescue Administration.
City of Fort Lauderdale Fire-Rescue Technical Rescue
Team (TRT)
The City of Fort Lauderdale Fire-Rescue Department provides
a specialty service Technical Rescue Team (TRT) to the
southern region of South Florida. This team extends capabilities
of fire-rescue and medical response to confined space
rescue, high angle rescue, trench/excavation rescue, water
related emergencies, structural collapse/emergency shoring,
heavy extrication, urban search and rescue, shipboard
firefighting, wild land firefighting, and damage reconnaissance,
as well as weapons of mass destruction (WMD) preparedness
in times of civil unrest. The team responds to mitigate
both natural and man-made disasters on a local, state
and federal level.
History
Fort Lauderdale's Technical Rescue Team is one of the
largest teams in the state and responds frequently out
of jurisdiction to assist other municipalities with mutual
aid. The team has been recognized many times at a national
level for outstanding work.
The TRT has been operational for approximately 11 years
and is comprised of a select group of firefighter/paramedics
who are trained and certified to respond and provide technical
knowledge, high-risk work duties and specialized equipment.
The TRT team members are available 24 hours a day seven
days a week and answer calls from multiple Fort Lauderdale
Fire-Rescue stations to ensure citywide coverage.
Training
Team members are cross-trained to provide firefighting,
emergency medical service, and rescue functions. In addition
to these duties, members have extensive training in advanced
rescue techniques. This intense training is performed
for expansion of knowledge and preparedness to respond.
Physical standards for the team are also above those mandated
by other nationally recognized organizations.
Equipment
The equipment the TRT uses is top-of-the-line and maintained
in ready condition for rugged use. For rescue operations,
the TRT utilizes a Pierce 105' Quantum Quint, a Pierce
Quantum Engine, a Medic Master Rescue truck, and a 16'
Wells Cargo trailer for support equipment and supplies.
Other equipment includes a number of extrication devices,
such as sawzalls, die grinders, assorted pneumatic tools,
air bags, portable air carts, a heavy lifting tripod and
winch, and dive equipment, as well as high angle rescue
equipment and typical firefighting equipment. There is
also an assortment of pneumatic shoring devices, air ventilators,
class 3 harnesses, atmospheric monitoring devices, communications
equipment, confined space lock out tag out kits, supplied
air breathing hoses, and escape (pony) air bottles for
confined space operations.
Dive Rescue
The City of Fort Lauderdale is known as the Venice of
America for it's many and vast inland waterways, as well
as the Atlantic Ocean and shoreline. The considerable
amount of boat traffic is often greater than the automobile
traffic encountered in many cities. An effective Dive
Rescue Team is maintained by providing proper equipment
and training to Firefighter/Paramedics.
The Fort Lauderdale Fire-Rescue Department conducts its
own dive rescue classes via in-house instructors for department
personnel, as well as other municipalities, highlighting
Fort Lauderdale Fire-Rescue as a premier dive rescue operation
and training facility. For dive and water rescue operations,
the TRT utilizes a 25' Boston Whaler Guardian set up for
both firefighting and dive rescue operations, as well
as an ARB 14' rigid hull inflatable boat.
Purpose
The City of Fort Lauderdale Fire-Rescue proudly maintains
the Technical Rescue Team to ensure the safety of both
citizens and visitors to the Venice of America. With capabilities
extending "outside of the norm," technicians
are available to safeguard victims and provide aid to
unusual rescue situations beyond the capability of an
average fire department response. This application of
skills, knowledge, and equipment safely resolves unique
or complex rescue situations. With the dedicated service
of the Technical Rescue Team, Fort Lauderdale Fire-Rescue
assures preparation for any life safety situation that
may arise.
|
|
