The purpose of a Technical Rescue Team (TRT) is to provide an organized rapid rescue that gathers information, deploys the appropriate rescuers and equipment to perform an effective search and rescue.
Central Arizona Fire & Medical Authority has 18 certified Technical Rescue Technicians which are members on the Prescott Area Regional Response Team. They attended a five week intensive class that covered such topics as confined space rescue, trench rescue, technical rope rescue and swift water rescue. The team may respond to calls in our jurisdiction or to other agencies in need of mutual aid. Team members are required to attend monthly training drills to maintain and further enhance their skills.
A Battalion Chief oversees the CAFMA TRT program with the assistance of a Captain and Firefighter. To become certified as Technical Rescue Technicians members completed a 200 hour course through the State Fire Marshal’s Office. Two members have taken their training to another level and are qualified as Rescue 3 International Instructors.
Training exercises have included a rope rescue involving “victims of a hot air balloon accident” held at Sunset Point and swift water training exercises have been held at both the Verde and the Salt River. Future goals include implementation of Tower Rescue and to have every member of CAFMA achieve an “Operations Level” status in rescue procedures.
Technical Rescue Technicians are trained in the use of specialized equipment and techniques to locate, remove and provide immediate medical treatment to victims utilizing their training in the following rescue procedures: