When the most complex and disastrous incidents happen in Kent, and across the world, there’s a specialist team of firefighters that are called upon to help. 

Technical rescue units are made-up of experienced firefighters who’ve had additional training to respond to major emergencies such as collapsed buildings, rescues from height, or incidents involving heavy transport. 

At Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS), the highly skilled team is equipped with a range of heavy-duty machinery to help clear debris following a large fire or crash, or to demolish unsafe properties, as well as a search dog and drone to assess structural damage and search for missing people. 

Jim, a Watch Manager for KFRS’ Technical Rescue Team, said: “The main part of our role is to provide technical rescue support for the people of Kent and Medway. You can only fit so much on a fire engine, so all the other equipment you would like to carry on board, is what we look after.

“By far, the most rewarding part of the job is helping people. Whatever crisis, disaster, or incident they’ve been part of, it’s our role to help them get to back home safely.” 

The crew also offers their skills and expertise to partner agencies such as police, ambulance and the coastguard, as well providing response to national and international disasters. 

Stacey, a Technical Rescue Technician at KFRS, said: “When we’re deployed to an incident, we work really closely with everyone involved, whether that’s our own crews, or a partner agency. We all have a common goal to help a person in their time of need and when we can achieve that, it really does makes it all worthwhile.” 

Each crew member is trained in National Resilience Urban Search and Rescue (USAR), which is part of a government-funded programme to provide mutual aid and support in the event of major incidents across the country, such as natural disasters like mass flooding. 

Some of the team, including Stacey and Jim, are also part of UK International Search and Rescue (UK-ISAR), which is another government-led service that sees crews deployed to disasters across the world, such as the 2021 earthquakes in Haiti. 

The technical rescue unit is one of several specialist teams at KFRS. The service also has specialist rope rescue teams, water safety units and animal rescue unit.