Heavy Technical Rescue

In recent years, the fire service has recognized the need to define rescue response operations more precisely. This move led the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to implement NFPA standard 1470 as a guideline for fire service agencies. The standard recognizes that, regardless of the size, some incidents will require specialized equipment and trained personnel to effect a successful operation. Heavy Technical Rescue is designed to provide assistance ranging from one single, specialized tool, to the application of entire task forces.

A large percentage of fire fighters who die in the line-of-duty are killed during the more complicated events. The Heavy Technical Rescue program attempts to address the more life-threatening scenarios with the most current technology and training. The program provides more options and skills to the rescuer, thereby increasing the survivability of the victim.

A HTR task force provides an emergency scene commander with options when specific events exceed the capabilities of the front-line units. A task force, which is defined as a collection of personnel and equipment brought together to achieve a common goal, can provide the incident commander with any necessary configuration of HTR personnel or equipment.

Incidents that may require the intervention of the USAR team are confined space and trench rescue, high and low-angle rope rescue, (light, medium, or heavy) collapsed structure rescue, heavy auto extrication, and multi-agency coordination.