The Hazardous Materials Response team responds to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear emergencies in the County that exceed the knowledge and capabilities of the average first responders. The team is based out of Station 15, Ivy Fire Rescue, and is part of a regional response team that includes the City of Charlottesville Fire Department.

The team consists of approximately 30 members, most are trained to the Hazardous Materials Technician level. The team responds with a variety of vehicles that carry extensive communication equipment, chemical protective clothing, detection and monitoring equipment, and a reference library.

The Albemarle County Fire Rescue Department’s sUAS unit’s purpose is to improve emergency preparedness and assist in emergency response disaster recovery. The use of the sUAS is not intended for general observation of areas, where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy.

The primary mission of the Technical Rescue Team (TRT) is to provide services for complex rescue situations requiring an advanced level of training and equipment. The Albemarle County Fire Rescue (ACFR) Technical Rescue Team is based at Fire Station 11, and has many operational capabilities including high and low angle rescue, light and heavy vehicle extrication, straight wall trench collapse, and confined space & machinery rescue. 

ACFR TRT has fifteen fully trained members assigned directly to Fire Station 11, with other support members working throughout the county. Team members operate a heavy rescue, one rescue engine and an ALS transport Medic Unit. Our team also partnered with the Charlottesville Fire Department (CFD) to build a regional Collapse Rescue trailer. ACFR and CFD train together to collaboratively build an enhanced regional response for technical rescue situations that may occur in Albemarle County or the City of Charlottesville.  

Albemarle County Fire Rescue (ACFR) Water Rescue Team (WRT) provides water rescue related services to Albemarle County and immediate surrounding areas upon request. Specific capabilities include surface water (slow moving water), swift water, and flood water rescue.   

The ACFR WRT is based at Fire Station 11, and consists of 26 members. Eighteen of these technicians are assigned directly to Station 11, with the remainder spaced throughout the county. There are three other water rescue teams located in Albemarle County, which include The Charlottesville-Albemarle Rescue Squad, Scottsville Volunteer Fire Department, and Western Albemarle Rescue Squad. Our team trains and works directly with all three to collaboratively provide water rescue services to the county.  

Our WRT operates a Zodiac Emergency Rescue Boat (ERB) powered by either a 25hp outboard “prop” motor or a 25hp “jet drive” depending on water level and intensity. The team also operates a “Jet Kayak” built by Mokai (uniquely stored inside our squad), as well as two Dagger Roam kayaks.