Special Operations

The Special Operations Division of the Anne Arundel County Fire Department (AACOFD) 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 & 23. Services provided include hazardous materials mitigation, confined space rescue, structural collapse rescue, technical rope rescue, trench rescue, and swift water and flood water emergencies.

Members assigned to Stations 23 and 4 attended specialized classes related to hazardous materials and technical rescue in Indiana, Alabama, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York. Classes of note included collapse training in Virginia Beach, VA with Virginia Task Force 2 for Urban Search and Rescue. Swiftwater boat operator course in Harpers Ferry, MD, and various FEMA courses administered by the Center for Domestic Preparedness in Anniston, AL. Grants through OEM allowed several members to attend HazMat lectures and workgroups at the 2023 IFC in Indianapolis, IN. In addition, members logged in excess of 400 hours of company-level training in the technical specialties over the course of 2023.

The Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries encompass 533 miles of shoreline in Anne Arundel County. Extending from the north towards Baltimore City to the south near Calvert County and areas in between, including the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. The Anne Arundel County Fire Department Marine Operations Division protects these waters for fire, rescue, and medical emergencies with three marine units. These vessels and crews are assigned to the Woodland Beach (2), Cape St. Claire (19), and the Avalon Shores (41) stations. Sixty-five department members comprise the marine operations division, holding Mate I, Mate II, and Motor Vessel Operator Pro-Board Certifications through the International Accreditation for Fire Service Organizations. In 2023 the Marine Operations Division responded to 194 calls for service to the citizens of Anne Arundel County and surrounding jurisdictions.

Through 2023, the Marine Operations Division has had several significant accomplishments. In the spring, ten members completed the United States Coast Guard Operator of Uninspected Vessel (OUPV) to further their training, bringing the total to 17 members in the division. Over the summer between Memorial Day and Labor Day, the Department staffs one vessel over the weekends and holidays which totaled 49 days. During these days, the vessel is staffed from 0900-2100 with a minimum of three personnel. These patrol days have allowed our members to increase their training and reduce response times by being on the water and staffed. In late summer, the department placed Medic 19 (Advanced Life Support Unit) in service at Cape St. Claire, providing ALS coverage on Fireboat 19.

The most exciting news in marine operations is the announcement of new fireboats. These new vessels will enhance the department's capabilities, from reducing response times to the ability to supply substantial amounts of water to land-based fire grounds and the increase in ALS coverage on the waters of Anne Arundel County. These vessels are anticipated to arrive in Spring/Summer 2024.

The Dive Rescue Team is the primary dive resource for the 533 miles of shoreline in Anne Arundel County. The Dive Rescue Team consists of 48 divers from the Anne Arundel County Fire Department (38), Annapolis Fire Department (9), and the Anne Arundel County Police Department (1).

Our members are certified by an international organization as Dive Rescue Specialists. We have three instructors who train our members and divers from our regional partner agencies. During 2023, we had 63 dive responses, conducted over 400 training dives, and participated in numerous public education events throughout the County. The Dive Rescue Team continues to evolve and will receive delivery of a new Munson 26’ PackCat Landing Craft in early 2024.