Advanced Technical Rescue
The WCFD Technical Rescue Teams are ready, trained, and equipped to respond when our community and visitors need specialized rescue.
Technical Rope Rescue
Due to the extreme mountainous conditions of Smoky Mountains, our personnel undergo rigorous training to achieve certification as Rope Rescue Technicians. Rope rescue is a highly specialized field of technical rescue. A rope rescue can involve very complex rigging systems and extreme heights. Our Vertical Rope Rescue Team deploys across the county and East Tennessee when called. WCFD Rescue Climbers are certified through Rescue 3 International or the Mountain Safety Rope Rescue School in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Swift Water/Flood Rescue
Swift/Flood water rescue is a subset of technical rescue dealing in swift water and flood conditions. Our Advanced Swift and Floodwater Technicians complete a series of physically demanding courses to achieve and maintain certification. Our rescue swimmers are certified through Rescue 3 International or the Tennessee Association of Rescue Squads.
Vehicle Extrication
Vehicle extrication is the process of removing a patient from a vehicle who has been involved in a motor vehicle collision. Patients who have not already exited a crashed vehicle, may be medically unable to exit the vehicle or physically trapped by wreckage . Our firefighters receive annual training on Basic and Advanced Vehicle Extrication through the Tennessee Association of Rescue Squads.
Structural Collapse Response
Structural collapse rescue is the use of advanced techniques to locate, extricate, and stabilize victims within collapsed structures or other confined spaces. Our rescue technicians take multiple courses covering light, heavy, confined space, and trench rescue. This training, along with our equipment, allows us to enter dangerous and unstable buildings or spaces and effect the rescue of trapped persons.
