Rescue Operations
The Operations Bureau includes Fire Suppression, Emergency Medical Care and Rescue Services. Our Rescue services include a Combined Area Response Team (CART) Trailer that is equipped with first response equipment to handle trench rescue, confined space rescue, high angle rescue, and collapse rescue and several members of the Fire District who are trained at the level of Technical Rescue Technician. Our Dive Trailer is equipped with a zodiac boat, and a full compliment of dive gear and equipment to perform a dive rescue and recovery.
The CART team is a combined area response team. Minooka shares the resources and personnel with Channahon Fire Protection District, Plainfield Fire Protection District, Rockdale Fire District, and . . . Each of these departments maintain a CART response unit (trailer or vehicle) and personnel and make up the Orange Team. When a specialize rescue call is received in Minooka the Minooka Fire Protection District responds along with it's CART team members places the remaining team departments on stand-by and assesses the needs. At a moments notice all Orange Team Departments, personnel and equipment are brought to bear on the emergency. Captain Marlin Hartman is the Minooka Special Teams Leader for CART.
The Minooka Dive team is another combined agency response team. Minooka and Channahon Fire Protection District create a response team. Minooka and Channahon Fire Protection District maintain individual equipment that is compatible and capable of being shared between the two Fire Districts. The Fire Districts train together and work cooperatively to provide a professional team for emergency response. Both Fire Districts response when a call for a water emergency, including ice rescue occurs within Minooka of Channahon. Lieutenant Don Mefferd is the Minooka Team Leader for the Dive Team.
When a special rescue occurs including CART, Dive, and a patient pinned in machinery and automobiles you can expect to see the heavy squad on the scene. This unit can transport up to ten firefighters to the scene and carries portable air for filling self contained breathing apparatus, and heavy rescue equipment to supplement and assist with other specialized tools provide by CART or other departments. In addition, this vehicle can serve as a mobile command post, providing a viewing deck and work space for command staff.
