Miami Township Division of Fire/EMS

Special Operations Group

Members of the Special Operations Group of the Miami Township Division of Fire and EMS are responsible for leading specialized rescue operations and for training other members of the Division to assist them operationally in the execution of these specialized rescues. The Special Operations Group works closely with the members of the Dayton Regional Hazardous Materials Team and many of its members participate in the Ohio Department of Homeland Security’s Region 3 Rescue Strike Team.

High Angle, Rope and Confined Space Rescue
The Division has several members qualified as high angle/rope rescue technicians. These personnel are skilled in the rescue of personnel trapped in high or unusual locations that necessitate removal by safe use of rope techniques capable accommodating both the rescuer and a victim.

Structural Collapse and Trench Rescue
The Division has a basic collapse and trench rescue capability. Using special shores and panels, the members of the Special Operations Group are able to safely enter a collapsed trench and begin rescue operations. Similarly, the Division’s personnel are capable of beginning basic structural collapse shoring and rescue operations in structures collapsed by snow/weight, vehicles colliding into the structure, or even tornado activity.

Ice and Swift Water Rescue
The Division boasts several swift water rescue technicians trained on the white water rapids of the east coast and one of our instructors serves as a member of Ohio water rescue tactical advisory committee. Additionally, the Division has three ice rescue trainers certified by Dive Rescue International. These trainers help the Division maintain its ice and swift water readiness.

Lost Person Search
The SOG is capable of executing area searches for missing persons. They are skilled with basic and advance locating techniques that use today’s readily available GPS technologies. The Division typically responds to several lost person calls each year.

Hazardous Materials Response
Miami Township participates in the Dayton Regional Hazardous Materials Response Team. Administered through the Miami Valley Fire and EMS Alliance, the team is comprised of technician level responders from across the region that comes together during emergencies. The team is lead by a full time coordinator and Miami Township has both operations level responders and a limited number of technician level personnel that serve as liaisons to the team.