Our Special Operations Division is led by Battalion Chief Aaron Burlingame.
Saint Charles Fire Department personnel are trained and equipped to handle unusual or technically challenging calls that fall outside normal fire or emergency medical responses. Special operations activities include Hazardous Materials Response, Swift Water Rescue, Rescue Boat Operations, Technical Rescue Activities and Tactical Emergency Medical Support. Each of these specialized areas is staffed by members of the fire department that have received specialized training in their particular field of interest, in addition to normal fire department training.
These specialty units do not replace existing units; they make our existing personnel more productive by providing an increased level of service to the citizens of Saint Charles. Responses to floods, hazardous chemical accidents, building collapses, and the release of weapons of mass destruction are all addressed by our highly-trained personnel. In addition, these same firefighters and paramedics support the operations of other departments within the City of Saint Charles as necessary.