Special Operations
Special Operations are low frequency high risk calls that require a significant amount of training and equipment to be successful. We must be ready to respond in all conditions, terrain and situations. Some of these special operations include:
Swat Medics
Medical personnel from the Logan Fire Department have been specially trained to respond with the Law Enforcement’s SWAT teams to emergencies. Their purpose is to provide immediate medical care in a hostile environment.
HazMat
Logan Fire Department HazMat personnel are part of the Cache County HazMat task force which involves firefighters from every station in the valley. These personnel are specially trained to identify and deal with emergency situations involving hazardous materials. There are thousands of new chemicals being produced each year and identifying and dealing with them can be a challenge.
Honor Guard
The Logan Honor Guard was formed as a way that we may show our respect to those who have, and continue to serve their fellow citizens. The Honor Guard is proud to participate in Civic Events, Special Occasions and all too often at the passing of our brothers and sisters in the fire service.
In the adjacent picture, Captain Doug Fullmer checks the flag that has just been folded above the casket of a firefighter. There should be no red showing, only blue and stars. The tradition is that once this flag is folded above the casket, it will never be unfolded.
Contact Neal Gibbons, the head of the Honor Guard, with any questions: (435) 716-9500.
Technical Rescue
Technical Rescue includes any rescue that involves specialized training or equipment. Some examples of Technical Rescues include: high angle rope, water, ice, structural collapse, trench, heavy extrication and lifting techniques.
These rescues are low frequency, high-risk events that require careful training and preparation. Logan is part of the Cache County Technical Rescue Team which serves all of Cache Valley. The team trains on all rescue topics but has subject matter experts for each type of rescue.
The Cache County Technical Rescue team is a part of the Northern Utah Technical Rescue Response Team. This team unites fire department Technical Rescue Teams from South Davis to the Idaho border, sets training standards and trains together regularly.
Teams from throughout this area can be called on in times of crisis to assist each other.
Critical Incident Stress Management
The nature of responding to 911 medical emergencies unfortunately exposes our responders to some horrific scenes. Occasionally this takes a toll on the wellness of our responders. In order to assist our employees with the stress of these calls, and assist in keeping them emotionally healthy, we have a Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) program.
A small group of our responders have been selected to be trained as a peer support group. These employees are trained to conduct stress debriefings within our agency. They also receive training as to when and how to advise a coworker to seek additional counseling or education to keep themselves healthy.
Too often emergency responders leave this profession because the impact of this critical incident stress is too great for them and their families. This program is proving successful in reducing the impact of these calls on our employees through training and education.