The Wilmington Fire Department has several special teams listed above that perform many tasks in extreme conditions when the emergency arises. Each team member is trained to meet the challenge head-on with some of the members crossed-trained to include multiple teams. The Department takes every opportunity to see that all team members are trained to exceptional levels.

High Angle Rescue
The Tactical Rescue Team is comprised of Fire Department members who have training in unique rescue techniques. This training includes high angle rope rescue, repelling, confined space rescue and trench rescue.

With natural and man-made disasters occurring frequently throughout the country (such as the major hurricanes of recent years and the terrorists acts on Oklahoma City and the World Trade Center), it is apparent that properly trained personnel are needed for special rescue situations such as structural collapse, confined space and urban search and rescue.

Structure Collapse
A fire boat and many special teams are part of the department. Wilmington is proud of the department's "Class Two" nationwide rating which reflects both superior equipment and manpower.

Haz-Mat Team
The Haz-Mat team responds to any emergency that involves an unwanted release of hazardous materials to the environment. The team is trained at the "Technician Level" with some members trained at the "Specialist's Level". With this level of training, the team is capable of responding to incidents ranging from minor to major spills that occur at industrial facilities or transportation accidents.

The remainder of the Fire Department personnel not on the Haz-Mat team are trained to a minimum of "Operational Level". This enables the Fire Department to work as a team at a major incident.
The City of Wilmington currently contracts with the State of North Carolina to operate as a Hazardous Material Response Team that responds to eight counties.
The Sate Regional Response Team 2 (RRT2) has been a part of the Wilmington Fire Department in excess of seven years although the department has had a Haz-Mat team since 1988.

Water Rescue
The City of Wilmington is bordered on the west side by the Cape Fear River and on the east side by the Atlantic Ocean. The Cape Fear River has limited visibility.

Fire Department divers train in extreme conditions that in most cases limits visibility to under six inches. This in itself indicates that a limitless amount of commerical and recreational activity occurs in the City's area.