Special Operations

Specialized Rescue

The Bangor Fire Department members are trained in ‘Special’ or ‘Technical Rescue’ procedures. Currently we carry equipment and are trained to perform high angle rescues, below grade rescues, confined space operations, vehicle extrication, swift water rescue, ice rescue, collapse rescue, and large area searches.

Included in special equipment that Heavy Rescue 1 carries: Water rescue gear, ropes, repelling hardware and harnesses, tripods, shoring equipment, hydraulic rescue tools, air struts, air bags, specialty saws, air line system, on-board air system, ladder company equipment, stokes litter, portable radio cache, and a vehicle mounted winch.

Water Operations

The Bangor FD is responsible for response to the Penobscot River and the Kenduskeag Stream. Three major routes cross the Penobscot River with large bridges.

We are responsible for water rescue operations, ice rescue, and swift water rescue as well as firefighting operations.

We respond with two boats, and all of our companies carry lifejackets, water rescue suits, and rescue ropes for primary responses. We then have our heavy rescue respond with advanced gear and additional equipment.

SRT Medics

The Bangor Fire Department has a team of SRT (SWAT) medics. The members are all paramedics that are specially trained and nationally certified to do the job. Each member has a specific job on the team, but are trained in all aspects and roles of the SRT Medic. Besides the training that they do with the Bangor Police Department SRT Team, they are required to have additional training and skills in trauma.

The medics DO NOT carry weapons, but they are trained in their use and care, in case they are needed to protect a Police member, themselves or to clear a gun in an emergency. 

EMS Bike Team

The Bangor Fire Department has a team of trained bike medics. The team members have a strict training policy and are certified as emergency responders (using bikes). The members include Paramedics and EMTs, with at least one medic in each pair. The teams work in pairs and the bikes carry medical equipment that includes basic supplies, oxygen, defibrillator, some medications, and more. Due to the large amount of equipment carried, the two bikes work as a team and split the supplies between them.

The team works at large public gatherings, parades, and other events that may need them. They also utilize a trailer to make them more mobile and serves as a repair area as needed.

Mobile Command Vehicle

The Bangor Fire Department has a Mobile Command Vehicle. It is owned and operated by the City of Bangor, but this vehicle is part of the Maine Emergency Management Agency's response group. There are a total of five of these vehicles in the State of Maine, and they are all similar, but not identical in layout. Ours is the only municipal-owned and staffed. For any calls outside of the City of Bangor, the truck can also be requested by contacting the Bangor Fire Department, Penobscot County EMA, or MEMA.

The truck is designed to work on its own and run from a generator or has the ability to be hardwired. It features a full command center with radios, computers, satellite connections, and more. Generally speaking, the truck will respond to emergencies that involve an extended time on scene (days or more) and have multiple agencies working the scene. In the City of Bangor, you may see it set up at large gatherings, or extended operations for either the Police Department or the Fire Department. This serves as a command post and communications unit for Fire, Police, and EMS Services.

The crew trained are selected Bangor Fire Lieutenants, Captains, Assistant Chiefs, and specially trained Police Officers from the Bangor Police Department. Additional training is required of the members that may include: incident command training, logistics training, plans training, communications training, and more. Members also train with the Maine State Police, the Maine Forest Service, and the military. 

Honor Guard

The Bangor Fire Department Honor Guard was established in 2011. The unit is trained in military-style funeral protocols, parade protocols, and posting of colors for events (indoors and outdoors). The unit is available to the City departments, Local 772, other public safety departments, and on special occasions to the general public. The unit also assists other departments with funeral arrangements on an as-needed basis. The unit also trains and works closely with the MeANG Honor Guard in Bangor.