Our Organization 

 

            

History

After completing numerous technical rescue classes across the United States, our Commander Kevin Snider had a simple idea that had never been implemented in our rural area of Fayette County – start an all volunteer technical rescue team in Fayette County that could employ the use of specialized equipment and technical rescue skills for emergency events that are “outside the norm” of a typical emergency call for our local fire departments and emergency response agencies.

 

     

After meeting with several other members of the Piperton Fire Department who expressed interest in this idea, the Piperton Fire Department Technical Rescue Team was created and formed in August of 2008. Over the next year and under the direction and leadership of Kevin Snider, this Team continually trained in technical rescue modules and expanded its membership to over a dozen members. With the overwhelming interest and success of its program during its initial year of operations just in the City of Piperton, this Team wanted and needed to expand beyond the municipal borders of the City of Piperton and allow members from other fire departments and emergency response agencies. In short, the Team wanted to increase the frequency and intensity of training; train with other fire departments and emergency response agencies in our local area; be able to respond outside the municipal borders of the City of Piperton; and be fully open, inclusive, and available to anyone that wanted to join – irrespective of what department or agency the prospective member worked for. Unfortunately, after not being able to agree on these issues as well as several other issues and concerns with the Piperton Fire Department, the Team’s leaders and numerous other members resigned from the Piperton Fire Department.

 

 

Not wanting to give up on the simple idea – the Team’s leaders began discussions with the leadership and members of the Rossville Fire Department about implementing their idea. The leaders and members of the Rossville Fire Department not only enthusiastically embraced the idea but each and every officer and member of the Rossville Fire Department committed to joining the Team. In addition, these same members also wanted to have the Team fully open, inclusive, and available to anyone that wanted to join and be able to provide assistance to anyone irrespective of where the incident occurred or was located.　

Thereafter, the independent and non-profit Fayette County Technical Rescue Team was formed in January of 2010. Since that time, our members have all worked tremendously hard and the Team has been a remarkable success as described on the Outreach page. Now, the FCTRT is a private and sanctioned rescue squad that provides assistance without charge and is comprised of volunteers from various emergency response agencies and departments. The FCTRT does not receive any federal, state, county, or municipal government funding and carries its own general liability insurance as well as workers compensation insurance on its members, therefore FCTRT is available to respond virtually anytime to anywhere it may be needed without any costs to the taxpayers of our area.

 

　

                  

Operations Structure

The Operations of the FCTRT is controlled by its officers and members in a ranking structure similar to that of most rescue squads or fire departments. The highest ranking officer is the Commander followed by the Major, Captains, Lieutenants, and then Sergeants. The FCTRT has implemented the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS) into its operations and ranking system and it is easily transferable into the operations at any scene the FCTRT may be called to or asked to assist in.

In addition, the Team is divided into Divisions which is an operational unit consisting of one or more Sections, similar to a fire department battalion. This is commanded by a Captain who is also designated as the Senior Section Leader. The Section is an operational unit consisting of one or more Squads, similar to a fire department engine company. This is commanded by a Lieutenant who is also designated as the Section Leader. The smallest type of operational unit is the individual Squads that consist of four members. Each squad is typically comprised of a Lieutenant and/or a Sergeant and as many as three Privates. The first squad of any section is always the Senior Squad and is commanded by the Section Leader. All other Squads are commanded by a Sergeant who is also designated as a Squad Leader. Each of the four member Squads are designed to be a strike team.

　

  

Administration Structure

Due to the fact that the FCTRT is a Tennessee Non-Profit Corporation registered under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, the Administration of the FCTRT is solely controlled by the Team’s Charter of Incorporation, Bylaws, Corporate Officers, and Board of Directors who each served a term of three years. Operations officers may be assigned to corporate positions as determined and dictated by the Board of Directors and the Bylaws.

　

     

Administrative Committees

The FCTRT uses a number of committees for both administration and operations as well as policy making as established by the Team’s Bylaws and Board of Directors. These committees are known as:
  • The Auditing Committee
  • The Bylaws Committee
  • The Training Committee
  • The Standards Committee
  • The Selection Committee

 

　

Advisory Board

The FCTRT also uses an Advisory Board to assist with administrative and operational functions. This Advisory Board consists of up to twelve members selected from surrounding emergency agencies as well as private entities with specialized technical rescue background or knowledge. The Board assists and advices the Team and provides a additional input from individuals and entities outside the membership of the Team.