Special Operations

The Special Operations Division plays a vital role in providing specialized response capabilities for the citizens and visitors of the City of Savannah, Chatham County, and the state of Georgia. The division is responsible for hazardous materials releases, technical rescue, maritime/industrial responses and the State’s Urban Search & Rescue Coastal Task Force. The division also works closely with Savannah Chatham Metropolitan Police Department's Explosive Ordinance Disposal Team providing on-scene technical support.

The role of the Special Operations Division has undergone dramatic change in the wake of the recent national and international terrorist events and now plays a vital role in providing Homeland Security.

The Hazardous Materials (Haz-Mat) Response Team (HMRT) meets all requirements of a FEMA Type II Haz-Mat Entry Team and includes twenty (20) on-duty firefighters certified as Hazardous Materials Technicians/Specialist with additional personnel that can be called-back. In addition, two hundred (200) members of the fire department are trained at the Hazardous Materials Operations level and ninety two (92) firefighters have successfully completed the Hazardous Materials Technician level training. Most HMRT members have attended additional Specialist level training in Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), Railcar or Transportation response. During daily operations, these personnel operate independently within their primary fire company response zones.

During Haz-mat operations the team may utilizes a combination of available apparatus that includes; Haz-mat/Command Van, specially designed Haz-Mat Engines, support, foam and decon trailers, 28' marine unit, and an ATV. The primary Haz-Mat Response Unit operates out of Station 6 (3000 Liberty Parkway) but is supplemented by five satellite Haz-Mat Companies strategically located throughout the City to provide the best Haz-Mat response coverage.
Funding for day to day operations of the Haz-Mat Team is provided through a combination of City, County funds and local Industrial fees.

The Technical Rescue Team (TRT) meets all requirements of a FEMA Type IV Collapse Search and Rescue Team and includes 18 on-duty firefighters certified in technical rescue disciplines with additional personnel that can be called-back. These disciplines include high angle, confined space, trench, vehicle/machinery extrication, wide area search and rescue, swift/flood water and heavy structural collapse. Most TRT members have also completed the Hazardous Materials Technician level training as well. In addition, one hundred and ninety eight (198) members of the fire department are trained in wide area search and rescue techniques. During daily operations, these personnel operate independently within their primary fire company response zones.

During technical rescue operations the team may utilizes a combination of available apparatus that includes; two (2) heavy rescues, three (3) TRT engines, one (1) ladder truck, 28' marine unit, and one (1) structural/trench collapse trailer. The TRT companies operate out of Station 3 (121 E. Oglethorpe Avenue), Station 5 (6 W. Henry Street) and Station 7 (6902 Sallie Mood Drive).

Funding for day to day operations of the Technical Rescue Team is provided through the fire department budget.

Savannah Fire & Emergency Services is working with USCG, State and local agencies to enhance the maritime / industrial firefighting capabilities at this time.

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Chief Vickers began his fire service career over 23 years ago as a volunteer Firefighter-EMT at Spalding County Fire Department (Georgia). He changed his career path in 1997 by securing a position with the Georgia Fire Academy (Georgia Public Safety Training Center) as an Instructor 3 and assigned to the Special Programs Section. While at the Georgia Fire Academy (GFA) he developed many new courses in Public Safety Education, Fire Inspections and Technical Rescue. During his tenure there, he taught a wide array of courses and also served as the Interim Special Programs Manager for his last 2 years with GFA.

Chief Vickers began his career with Savannah Fire & Emergency Services in February of 2004 and serves in his current position as the Special Operations Division Chief. He manages all aspects of the Special Operations Division which includes the Hazardous Materials Response Team, Technical Rescue Team and the Georgia Search & Rescue Task Force 5. He also is responsible for coordination of the Emergency Management activities for the department. He is a member of the Ad-Hoc FBI SE Joint Terrorism Task Force and Co-Chairs the Maritime Firefighting Area Committee with the Coast Guard.

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