The Beaver County Technical Rescue Team (TRT) officially started responding to calls as an organized team in 2005. At that time, the need for advanced specialized rescue in the county was realized after several incidents occured that involved subjects trapped and/or requiring assistance beyond the capabilities of regular fire department response. The TRT consists of manpower, apparatus, and equipment from the Aliquippa Bureau of Fire, Baden Fire Department, and Chippewa Fire Department.  The team leaders are Chief Dave Foringer, Chief Dave Trzcianka, and Chief Don Knight. Members of the participating departments have undergone hours of training in specialty response, including Structural Collapse, Trench Rescue, Confined Space, Rope Rescue (both high and low angle), and Swift Water Rescue. There are currently at least 50 members certified in at least 3 of the disciplines listed, although most team members have additional training. Specialized equipment has been acquired by the TRT through the Pennsylvania Southwest Regional Counterterrorism Task Force, also known as Region 13.

The TRT responded to 9 calls in 2005 and 2006. These included 1 trench collapse, 7 structural collapses, and 1 train derailment. In 2007, the TRT responded to 3 calls. One call involved a person in a trench in South Beaver Township, next was a house that exploded in Harmony Township due to a natural gas leak, and the last call involved an elderly male who fell into a partially empty septic tank in Hanover Township.

The TRT meets quarterly for training, updates, and equipment familiarization, with each member department taking turns hosting those sessions. Each department has additional trainings throughout the year, be it in the county or across the state, to maintain response proficiency.

Due to the amount of time involved in gearing up for a call, the TRT is automatically toned by the 911 Center for any incident that may need a specialized response. However, the TRT feels they can have at least one unit on scene within 30 minutes anywhere in the county due to the locations of the participating stations. If the TRT is needed and an agency or individual has not been informed that the team has been toned, 9-1-1 users are asked to specifically request the TRT. If the team is not needed on scene, they can be cancelled at any time; the goal is to ensure all patients are extricated and accounted for.

The Beaver County TRT also trains and works with TRT's from Butler County, Mercer County, and Northwest Ambulance's TRT from Allegheny County along with the Pennsylvania Urban Search and Rescue Strike Team 1, of which members of the Beaver County TRT also belong.

Any questions in regards to the Beaver County Technical Rescue Team can be referred to any of the team leaders or to the Beaver County 911 Center.

- Written by Chief Dave Trzcianka for the Beaver County Emergency Services Newsletter (Spring 2008)