Special Operations Division

The Brookhaven Technical Rescue Task Force (BTRTF) was formed in February of 2000 and consists of a dedicated group of fire departments along with Port Jefferson Ambulance. This group agreed to meet and train in the 7 disciplines of Technical Rescue.

• Confined Space
• High Angle Rope Rescue
• Trench Collapse Rescue
• Vehicle and Machinery Extrication
• Water and Ice Rescue
• Building Collapse Rescue & Emergency Shoring
• Wilderness Search and Rescue

The Task Force classifies incidents into 4 different categories or levels and they are:

• Level 1 – Minor Incidents other than a collapse and or excavation
• Level 2 – Minor Collapse Incident
• Level 3 – Confined Space Rescue/High Angle Rope Rescue
• Level 4 – a Major Incident.

This task force consists solely of volunteer members. They are not paid in any way for the time it takes to become certified, maintain their skills, or the time spent operating at an incident. The individual agencies train multiple times per month within their own departments and then collectively as a Task Force at least 12 times per year. This training and preparation are essential and Port Jefferson Volunteer Ambulance trains right alongside the dedicated members of the Task Force. In the beginning we were initially charged with providing medical support to the other members of the Task Force, a job we continue to perform. As the Task Force has evolved and developed, so too did our role within it. As such, we strive to have all of our members complete at least the awareness (primary) level of all 7 disciplines in addition to maintaining the medical certifications and training required by our agency. The role we play within the Task Force is unique as we are the only ambulance agency that responds with them. As such, we respond each and every time the Task Force is activated, regardless of the type of call.