Special Operations

Anne Arundel County Special Operations responds to and operates in environments and circumstances that pose unusual or exceptional hazards to first responders and the general public. The challenges of these environments are met through advanced training, specialized equipment, and operational policies that supplement or exceed those generally used in standard daily operations.

Hazardous Materials/Technical Rescue (HMTR) teams are based at Companies 4 and 23 and are supervised by Captain Baker (4) and Captain Stanton (23). Services provided include hazardous materials mitigation, confined space rescue, structural collapse rescue and stabilization, trench rescue, and swiftwater and floodwater emergency response.

The Hazmat/Technical Rescue team traveled to Aberdeen Proving Ground to conduct Hazardous Materials training with the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue using preset scenarios and props provided by the training agency on the base. The team also traveled to Howard County for trench training scenarios with the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue, the Montgomery County Department of Fire and Rescue, and the Baltimore County Fire Department.

The Hazmat/Technical Rescue team hosted the Baltimore County Fire Department for joint training on their Paratech Rescue Strut equipment. The team maintained relationships with mutual aid partners but also continued to expand its rescue capabilities within the department.

The HMTR teams experienced significant personnel turnover and welcomed several new members, in large part due to the success of current team members who were promoted to the ranks of Lieutenant and Captain. While the team expanded their knowledge, skills, and abilities, they also delivered initial certification courses to members of the Anne Arundel County Fire Department and the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue. These courses included Rope Rescue Awareness, Operations, and Technician.

The Rescue Swimmer program grew with the addition of the Basic Rescue Swimmer program.

This course was developed by members of the Hazmat/Technical Rescue team and completed by over 50 department members who volunteered for the 8-hour course. To support the training, Water rescue equipment was purchased and distributed to the 2nd Battalion companies to enhance water rescue capabilities with the planned rollout to the entire department in 2026.

Ten more members of Special Operations also completed the second round of Advanced Rescue Swimmer School, hosted by a partner Federal Agency.

Under the management of Captain Hall, the Dive Rescue Team is the primary dive resource for the 533 miles of shoreline in Anne Arundel County and is based at Company 8. The Dive Rescue Team consists of 49 divers from the Anne Arundel County Fire Department (38), Annapolis Fire Department (10), and the Anne Arundel County Police Department (1).

Our members are certified by an international organization as Dive Rescue Specialists. Two instructors train our members and divers from our regional partner agencies.

In 2025, we received numerous dive requests, including assisting with the response to the commercial airline disaster on the Potomac River in Washington, D.C. The team trains every Tuesday to maintain readiness and has accumulated over 400 training dives in 2025. The divers also train on the water each Sunday with Dive Boat 8, a Munson 26’ PackCat Landing Craft, which is the primary dive boat.

In addition, the Anne Arundel County Dive team continued to support several large-scale organized events on the Chesapeake Bay, including the annual Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge for Special Olympics, the United States Naval Academy graduation Blue Angels performance, the Chesapeake Bay Swim, and the Trident Swim to benefit families of fallen Navy SEALs.

In early 2025, the Anne Arundel County Fire Department enhanced its marine response capabilities by placing two new fireboats into service under the management of Captain Mayo and Captain Peters. These vessels represent the latest technology, specifically designed to improve water operations in Anne Arundel County. On June 10, 2025, County Executive Stuart Pittman, along with Fire Chief Trisha Wolford, unveiled the names of the two new fireboats at the christening ceremony at Sandy Point State Park. The fireboats have been named “Klas-y Lady” and “Miss Avalon,” reflecting department history and the role in the community. The vessels are strategically stationed to optimize coverage: one at Sandy Point (Cape St. Claire Station 19) and the other at West River (Avalon Shores Station 41). 

The newly commissioned fireboats are 50-foot Metal Shark Defiant models. Each vessel can flow over 8,000 gallons of water per minute and reach a top speed of 45 knots. These advanced features ensure rapid response and effective fire suppression during marine emergencies. Beyond fire suppression, the fireboats are equipped to handle additional critical missions. Their design includes capabilities for Search and Rescue operations and Emergency Medical Service support, making them valuable assets in a variety of water-based emergency scenarios.

One of these new boats, staffed with 5 personnel, was on the water every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of 2025, from Memorial Day through Labor Day, during the hours of 9:00 am-9:00 pm. This increased independent staffing during peak times on the waterways reduced response times and increased safety for residents and visitors in Anne Arundel County.