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SPECIAL OPERATIONS
Cape Coral Fire Department Special Operations include hazardous materials response, marine rescue, dive rescue, and Urban Search and Rescue (USAR). These are added duties on top of a firefighter’s standard responsibilities.
Hazardous Materials
All Cape Coral firefighters are trained as hazardous materials awareness level responders able to recognize hazards, layout boom, and use carbon monoxide detectors and pH testing strips. There are 60 Cape Coral firefighters who have advanced training in hazard pre-planning, chemistry, event mitigation, hazard identification and analysis, and decontamination and serve as Hazmat Technicians on the Department's Hazardous Materials Team, operating out of Fire Station 12. Their equipment includes air/gas monitors, radiation detectors, protective clothing, leak stop devices, and decontamination. CCFD's hazardous materials response is guided by NFPA 472, Standard for Competency of Responders to Hazardous/Weapons of Mass Destructions Incidents.
Marine Rescue
The Cape Coral Fire Department has 75 firefighters who serve on the Marine Team as Public Safety Boat Operators and three boats. Marine 3 is housed at Fire Station 3 and can be trailered to boat ramps for response in the Caloosahatchee River. Marine 7 is docked at Burnt Store Marina for response north of Cape Coral from Charlotte Harbor out to the Gulf of Mexico. Marine 9 is docked at Tarpon Point Marina for response in the Gulf of Mexico south of Cape Coral and around the barrier islands. Marine emergency response includes vessel and dock fires, search and rescues, vessels in distress, and medical emergencies on the water and is coordinated between the Coast Guard Station on Fort Myers Beach and the Lee County Marine Emergency Response Team (MERT) which is made up of all public safety agencies in the county with boats. CCFD's marine response is guided by NFPA 1005, Standard for Professional Qualifications for Marine Fire Fighting for Land-Based Fire Fighters.
Dive Rescue
With over 400 miles of waterways in Cape Coral, firefighters respond to cars and animals in canals, boating accidents, and drownings. All Cape Coral firefighters are trained as rescue swimmers, and all apparatus are equipped with basic dive equipment for water-related calls. Additionally, there are 75 Cape Coral firefighters who have advanced training and equipment such as dry suits and full face mask communications who serve as Public Safety Dive Technicians on the Department's Dive Team, operating out of Fire Station 4. CCFD's dive program is guided by the International Association of Dive Rescue Specialists (IADRS) standards.
Urban Search and Rescue (USAR)
USAR provides technical rescue capabilities such as high angle, trench, confined space, collapse, vehicle and machinery, swift water, and large animal rescue. The Cape Coral Fire Department has 12 firefighters who serve as part of Task Force Team 6. Task Force 6 is a regional team comprised on 125 members from 12 agencies from Manatee to Collier County that is available to deploy locally and nationally to assist during a disaster. Two Cape Coral USAR team members responded with Task Force 6 to the Surfside condominium collapse in June, 2021.