SPECIAL OPERATIONS DIVISION 

The Special Operations Division is a multi-faceted unit under the Fire Department’s Operations Branch, supervised by the Office of the Fire Chief.  The division is staffed with specially trained career and volunteer response members on an “on-call” basis.  The Special Operations Division has evolved into separate special disciplines:

WATER RESCUE/RESPONSE

The water rescue program of our Department protects over 20 miles of the Shenandoah River, multiple ponds and rural water sources.  WCFR operates 3 water response boats throughout its stations and an additional boat as part of the special operations response team.   

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS PROGRAM (HAZMAT)

The HAZMAT Program is responsible for emergency hazardous materials response in the Front Royal/Warren County area. Warren County utilizes the Operations Response Level approach with assistance from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management Regional Hazardous Materials Regional Response Teams for technical level assistance.

TECHNICAL RESCUE

The Special Operations also provided emergency response capabilities to support confined space rescue, trench/below-grade rescue and high-angle rescue type incidents that all may require the use of ropes and rappelling techniques.