Special Operations

Hazardous Materials (Haz-Mat) Team

When a hazaradous material (haz-mat) accident occurs, the Fire Department's Haz-Mat Team in place at Fire Station #2 on Sharer Road responds to the call. They respond to all Haz-Mat emergencies in the City of Tallahassee and Leon County. In addition, they are charged with response in the thirteen county area that encompasses the geographical area from the Apalachicola River east to Lake City and south to the Dixie County gulf coast. This out-of-territory response is mandated by the Regional Domestic Security Task Force (RDSTF.) A second team is located at Fire Station #3 on South Monroe Street the primary Haz-Mat Team.

Technical Rescue

If there is a rescue involving a heavy vehicle extrication, vertical rescue, confined space rescue, trench rescue or limited structural collapse rescue, the Fire Department's Technical Rescue Team (TRT), located at Fire Station #4 on West Pensacola Street jumps into action. These firefighters are highly trained in rescue operations. The Department has recently been appointed by the State of Florida Regional Domestic Security Task Force to field an Urban Search and Rescue Team for the thirteen county area mentioned above.

Airport

Your Airport safety is our concern and as such we have a station located at the Tallahassee Regional Airport which houses specialized equipment as well as firefighters. These firefighters have been trained in such areas as live burn training (at the Jacksonville Fire/Rescue Department Training Facility); Airport Ramp Movement training and Airport Security training; vehicle-specific in-service training on the airport grounds; and continual computer and field training in aircraft familiarization and rescue procedures for aircraft specific to Tallahassee Regional Airport.

Hose & Hydrant

Worried about that hydrant in your neighborhood? No need to be concerned. The Fire Department performs hydrant testing annually during the months of October and November. The Department tests not only City hydrants, but also Talquin hydrants, as they are a part of our water supply system. Hydrant location is verified from a map produced by the City's Geographic Information System (GIS) department. Each hydrant is checked for obstructions, a pressure test is performed, cap threads are lubricated and all hydrants are checked for adequate water flow.

Regional Domestic Security Task Force (RDSTF)

Aside from the earlier mention of RDSTF performances, the Special Operations Division is also involved in several state working groups for Haz-Mat equipment and training specifications; Urban Search and Rescue equipment specifications and training issues; Field Operations Guide input and distribution; Standard Operation Procedure committee work and assistance with Field Exercise parameters and implementation.