Technical Rescue Team

Several areas in our community are prone to flooding during heavy rainfall – and more are inundated during hurricanes and other excessive rain events. When the water levels rise, TRT volunteers respond with local fire departments to assist with evacuations. We also deploy to emergency rescue calls in bodies of water, such as the Haw River and Jordan Lake. We not only deploy in the Orange County area but also across the state when needed. In 2013, we won the Higgins and Langley Swiftwater Rescue Team award. In 2024, we formed a Type II Swiftwater/Flood Team with North Chatham and the combined crew deployed for the first time in August 2024 for Hurricane Debby.

TRT volunteers train in specialized rope techniques to rescue or recover patients trapped on terrain with a steep slope angle. We use ropes, pulleys, harnesses, belay devices, and hauling equipment to access the person and retrieve or remove them. When necessary, we also help the care team reach and treat people before removing all parties. Our team has completed trainings at Bynum Bridge, the Orange County Fire Training Center, the CoGen power plant, and the American Stone rock quarry. 

Our volunteers are specially trained to track and locate lost or missing persons, including:

• Lost, injured or overdue hikers
• People living with cognitive impairments who have wandered
• Individuals reported as lost or injured whose whereabouts are unknown  

We work with local and state emergency management and law enforcement.