Special Operations

In addition to fire fighting and medical training, the district employs personnel who are trained and equipped to handle unusual or technically challenging calls that fall outside normal fire or emergency medical responses. The personnel making up these special units, or “teams,” are fire department personnel that have been trained to confront incidents that pose a high degree of risk to both citizens and responders.

HAZMAT

Any substance or material capable of creating an unreasonably high risk to health, safety, and property when transported in commerce is referred to as a dangerous good (also known as a hazardous material or hazmat). The Department of Transportation uses a 9-classification method and the National Fire Protection Association uses a 14-classification system. Copper Canyon Fire and Medical District has an interstate and a highway that run through it where these materials are transported on a daily basis. Three major types of hazardous materials are explosives, gases, and flammable and combustible liquids. As a component of emergency preparedness, Copper Canyon Fire and Medical District have staff who are trained and certified to respond to these types of incidents.

Swiftwater

The Verde River flows through the Copper Canyon Fire and Medical District. Flood-control channels, creeks, and arroyos can rapidly fill with swift-moving water, posing a life-threatening risk at low water crossings, typically dry creek beds, on highways, and on trails all over the region. Swifwater incidents frequently take place with little to no notice. The southwest frequently experiences monsoon weather, which can create dangerous circumstances. When traveling in the area, check the local forecast and keep an eye out for flash flood warnings. Copper Canyon Fire and Medical District firefighters are trained and certified in swiftwater rescues. Be sure to avoid hazards when faced with a flooded roadway and TADD (Turn Around Don't Drown).

Rope Rescue

Rescues that involve differences in elevation may require the use of ropes to access and evacuate patients. These types of calls occur in normally inaccessible locations such as ravines, mountainsides, high-rise buildings, towers, below-grade workspaces, and collapsed buildings. Rope rescues can involve low-angle where the ground surface slope is less than 45 degrees or high-angle where the slope exceeds 45 degrees. Rope Rescues require specially trained personnel or teams, Copper Canyon Fire and Medical District firefighters are Rope Rescue trained and certified.