Special teams are normally composed of an organization’s most elite members – those who possess, or aspire to, the highest levels of knowledge, skills, abilities and fitness for duty.
Beaumont Fire-Rescue Services has five internal teams covering technical response specialties. With the proper credentials and approvals, members may also be eligible to serve on regional and state special operations teams.
Advanced Life Support First Responder Program
Fire department personnel are the first to arrive on the scene of a medical emergency most of the time. When BFRS first responders have the capability to provide advanced life support services, as opposed to basic first-aid, life-saving interventions can be initiated sooner. This capability can improve patient outcomes, and literally save lives.The Fire Department has approximately 50 members holding Texas Department of State Health Services EMT-I or EMT-P certifications. BFRS has been working with Beaumont EMS and the city’s medical director to develop and expand the ALS First Responder program, so that our customers can receive quality care as soon as possible.
Hazardous Materials Response Team
Many hazardous materials are used in manufacturing processes, produced, and stored in southeast Texas. In addition to fixed facilities, every mode of transporting hazardous materials is found within the region – rail, highway, pipeline, waterway, and air. The BFRS Hazardous Materials Response Team responds to mitigate reported hazardous materials spills or releases.A district chief serves as program manager, directing and coordinating hazardous materials response for the department. He is assisted by three shift team leaders (A, B, C). Each shift is allotted a maximum of 10 active HMRT members. All HMRT members are certified at the OSHA 49 CFR 1910.120 technician-level. All other BFRS personnel hold operations-level certification, and function as support personnel for hazmat incidents. Fire Station No. 5 is the department’s hazmat response station.
Water Response & Recovery Team
The Water Response and Recovery Team responds to reports of persons drowned, or to assist local law enforcement in evidence recovery. The work is dangerous since there is little or no visibility (black water diving) in most situations.
A district chief serves as program manager, directing and coordinating the development of water response and recovery initiatives for the department. He is assisted by three shift team leaders (A, B, C). Each shift is allotted a maximum of eight active WRRT members. All WRRT members must be PADI open water diver-certified prior to applying for the team. At this time, the program is being developed to train all BFRS first responders to function at the operations-level in top water and/or swift water rescue.Wildland/Urban Interface Firefighting Team
Wildland fires have burned thousands of acres and destroyed many homes in Texas. With the assistance of the Texas A&M Forest Service, BFRS has stood up a Wildland/Urban Interface Firefighting Team to better protect our community, and to provide assistance across the state. BFRS WUIFT members are now capable of protecting Beaumont’s many interface zones, and are eligible for deployment to wildland fires statewide through the Texas A&M Forest Service. The cost of statewide deployments is reimbursable.A district chief serves as program manager, directing and coordinating the development of wildland/urban interface initiatives for the department. He is assisted by three shift team leaders (A, B, C). Each shift is allotted a maximum of eight active WUIFT members. All WUIFT active members must be certified through the Texas A&M Forest Service. Fire Station No. 2 is the department’s wildland response station.
Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus Team
The Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus Team keeps responders safe, so they can keep you safe. The SCBAT may not deploy to incidents, but they are critical for responder safety and operational effectiveness. SCBAT members ensure that personnel are fit-tested, that all SCBA and PASS devices are properly maintained, that breathing air is routinely tested and safe, and that air and oxygen cylinders are hydrostatically tested and safe to use. With the large inventory of breathing equipment for firefighting, hazardous materials and divers, it’s no easy task.A district chief serves as program manager, directing and coordinating SCBA maintenance and testing for the department. He is assisted by three shift team leaders (A, B, C). Each shift is allotted a maximum of eight active SCBAT members. All SCBAT active members must be certified Scott SCBA maintenance technicians. Fire Station No. 1 houses the SCBA maintenance and testing facility.
Regional Incident Management Team
The Sabine-Neches Chiefs’ Association sponsors the Golden Triangle Regional Type 3 Incident Management Team. The team is eligible to deploy to regional or state incidents to provide incident management support.Notification of deployment opportunities is coordinated through the Sabine-Neches Chiefs’ Association via the City of Beaumont Emergency Management office. State and national deployments are activated through the Texas A&M Forest Service through TIFMAS. A limited number of BFRS members may be appointed to serve on the RIMT when recommended and approved by the fire chief and appointed by the SNCA and RIMT leadership.
Southeast Texas Regional Rescue Team
The Southeast Texas Regional Rescue Team is made up of responders from area fire departments. The SETRRT is coordinated through the Sabine-Neches Chiefs’ Association, responding regionally for rope, high angle, confined space, urban search and rescue or swift water rescue situations, when requested.Regional deployments are activated and coordinated through the Sabine-Neches Chiefs Association via the BFRS Fire-EMS Communications Center. Up to six BFRS members may be appointed to serve on the regional rescue team when recommended and approved by the fire chief and appointed by the SNCA and team leadership.
Emergency Medical Task Force 6
The Emergency Medical Task Force project was developed by the Texas Department of State Health Services to create a network of regionally based medical teams. EMTF6 is available for deployment and operations within Texas or nationally.Regional and statewide deployments are activated and coordinated through the Southeast Texas Regional Advisory Council. Up to six BFRS members may be appointed to serve on the strike team when recommended and approved by the fire chief and appointed by the SETRAC leadership.
Texas Task Force 1 (TX-TF1)
One of 28 teams that form the FEMA National Urban Search and Rescue System, Texas Task Force 1 is a multi-disciplined task force available for air and/or ground deployment and operations in statewide or nationwide. Up to six BFRS members may be appointed to serve on the task force when recommended and approved by the fire chief and appointed by the task force leadership. Deployments are activated through the Texas Engineering & Extension Service.