Extensive Extrication

Using highly specialized extrication equipment and techniques, firefighters can spread, cut, push, pull, lift, roll and flap heavy metal, freeing people trapped in or under dump trucks, semis, school buses, tankers, cement trucks, rail cars, bull dozers and other heavy equipment or farm equipment. 

All MCFR firefighters take basic extrication classes when becoming certified, but firefighters on the Technical Rescue Team take additional classes.

Rope Rescue

If radio tower workers, construction workers or window washers get trapped on platforms, lifts, towers or buildings or if their equipment fails and they need to be lowered, raised or transferred from one place to another, MCFR's Technical Rescue Team is ready to respond.

Technicians must know how to think fast and understand physics and mathematics. They also learn every facet of their equipment, including knowing how to tie dozens of knots and finding a good solid base to use as an anchor.

MCFR's Technical Rescue Technicians take two additional 40-hour classes as well as a 40-hour refresher class every year to become certified in rope rescue.
 
Cave Rescue

Marion County is 1,652 square miles, which is larger than the state of Rhode Island. In addition to rolling hills and farms, Marion County has dozens of established lime rock caves and sinkholes.  Firefighters take an additional 40-hour class to become certified in cave rescue. They have mapped many caves ahead of time, marking access points, hazards and anchor points.

Confined Space Rescue

Imagine getting trapped in a manhole, a rain water drainage pipe, a sewer pump station, a tar vat or an underground power station. Think it's impossible? Think again. Just ask firefighters trained in confined space rescue.  Firefighters often make entry into areas that are only two feet wide and have only one entrance or one exit. 

Wilderness Search and Rescue

MCFR's Technical Rescue Team has the manpower and equipment capabilities to conduct wilderness search and rescues, combing miles of dense vegetation in cooperation with other agencies. Technicians take more than 100 hours of additional training to become certified in this discipline, becoming excellent navigators, map readers and survivalists.

When a wilderness search and rescue is initiated, technicians are required to be self-sustaining for a minimum of 72 hours.MCFR's Technical Rescue Technicians deployed to Citrus and Hillsborough Counties to help law enforcement officials locate missing children. MCFR crews headed up teams to search for nine-year-old Jessica Lunsford of Homosassa and 13-year-old Sarah Lunde of Ruskin, helping families bring closure to these tragedies.