Norfolk County Technical Rescue Team

10/10/2026

🚨 NCTRT TIER 3 RESPONSE - Braintree 🚨

Yesterday, the Norfolk County Technical Rescue Team responded to Wood Road in Braintree for a Tier 3 Technical Rescue Response after a tractor-trailer crashed into a commercial building, taking out multiple structural support columns.

The impact left a portion of the building sagging and resting directly on the tractor-trailer, creating a significant risk of structural collapse.

NCTRT members worked to stabilize the compromised structure by constructing laced post shoring systems spanning the tractor-trailer to support the building and prevent further collapse. Crews also utilized two grip hoists on the roof to capture and secure a compromised steel I-beam, providing additional structural stabilization.

Operations of this complexity require advanced technical rescue training, specialized equipment, and extensive hands-on experience. Incidents like this highlight the importance of having a highly trained regional technical rescue team ready to respond when emergencies exceed the capabilities of traditional fire department operations. The NCTRT remains a critical asset to Norfolk County and its surrounding communities.

A special thank you to:

* Braintree Fire Department for requesting our team and providing support throughout the incident.
* Quincy Rescue 1 for responding and assisting with shoring operations.
* Boston Sparks Association for providing rehabilitation support to crews.
* Norfolk County Control for coordinating incident communications and personnel accountability.
* Norfolk County Fire Chiefs for their continued support and commitment to the training, equipment, and resources necessary to maintain this specialized regional response capability.

This incident demonstrates the value of regional cooperation, advanced training, and the dedication of firefighters from departments across Norfolk County who train together to respond to these challenging emergencies.

Massachusetts Association of Technical Rescue Specialists:
Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts

10/08/2026

October Drill - Boat Operations/WAS

Yesterday, members of the Norfolk County Technical Rescue Team conducted a review of boat operations and then wide area search/navigation training in Sharon.

Crews began with boat and equipment inspections before rotating through water-based search exercises using CalTopo to mark search locations and track boat crews in real time.

Following the exercises, members returned to Sharon Fire Department Headquarters to rinse and winterize the boats.

The day concluded with classroom instruction led by USAR Communications Technician Keith Flavin, reviewing CalTopo, What3Words, and wide-area search operations.

Thank you to Sharon Fire Department for hosting and to all members who participated!

📸 Photos courtesy of Brian Kerins.

09/25/2026

JOIN OUR TEAM!

The Norfolk County Technical Rescue Team is opening its membership and hiring process as we look to add new members by January 2027.

We are looking for motivated and dedicated fire service personnel from departments throughout Norfolk County who are interested in expanding their skills, taking on new challenges, and becoming part of a specialized regional response team.

NCTRT members train and respond in specialized technical rescue disciplines including rope rescue, confined space rescue, trench rescue, structural collapse, swift water, and other complex rescue incidents throughout Norfolk County and beyond.

No previous technical rescue experience or certification is required to apply. Preference will be given to applicants with previous technical rescue training, certifications, or experience serving with a technical rescue unit.

📋 Interested in joining?
Please submit your application and/or letter of interest to:

Leo D Reardon
[email protected]

Additional information regarding eligibility requirements, the application and selection process, and upcoming recruitment activities will be provided to interested candidates.

If you’ve been looking for an opportunity to advance your training, develop your technical rescue capabilities, and serve alongside firefighters from across Norfolk County, we encourage you to apply.

Help us build the next generation of the Norfolk County Technical Rescue Team.

Massachusetts Association of Technical Rescue Specialists:
Norfolk County Control

09/19/2026

Great training and teamwork this weekend from our members at the MATRS Rescue Challenge!

09/18/2026

Yesterday, the Norfolk County Technical Rescue Team responded to Wellesley for a Tier 2 Technical Rescue activation after a vehicle crashed into a home on Weston Road shortly after noon.

The impact caused significant damage to the foundation and created concerns about the structural stability of the building. NCTRT members worked alongside Wellesley Firefighters to evaluate the structure and install temporary structural shoring, stabilizing the building and allowing the vehicle to be safely removed.

The driver was transported to Newton-Wellesley Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Incidents like this highlight the importance of regional technical rescue resources and the specialized training required for structural-collapse and shoring operations.

Great work by all agencies involved.

09/03/2026

September Drill - Rope Rescue

Yesterday, members of the Norfolk County Technical Rescue Team met for a rope rescue drill in Plainville.

Members were tasked with quickly sending a rescuer over the edge, then had to transition to a haul system. Squads worked through high-angle rope rescue operations, including rappelling, ascending, anchor systems, lowering and hauling systems, and edge transitions from a multi-level parking structure.

Our monthly trainings like this gives our members the opportunity to sharpen their skills and continue building the teamwork needed for technical rescue responses.

08/21/2026

Yesterday our Technical Rescue Team (SEMTRT) responded to Holbrook, MA to assist the Holbrook Fire Department with a Tier II confined space rescue at a water department facility.

Crews were dispatched for an injured male who had fallen in a 30 ft deep dry well.

SEMTRT members entered the confined space and descended to the patient, where they provided care, treated and stabilized him at the bottom of the well, and prepared him for removal.

The patient was then packaged in a Yates Spec Pak patient extrication and lifting system, a specialized device designed to secure and support a patient during confined-space operations while allowing for safe vertical removal using a technical rope system.

Above ground, additional team members constructed a tripod and technical 4:1 haul system over the well. Once the patient was secured in the Spec Pak and connected to the haul system, crews worked together to safely raise him approximately 30 feet to the surface.

The patient was then transferred to Holbrook Fire Department EMS for continued care and transport to a local trauma center.

This rescue demonstrated exactly why our regional technical rescue system exists. Strong communication, coordinated resources, specialized equipment, and countless hours of training allowed members from multiple communities to come together and operate seamlessly during a challenging incident.

We would also like to recognize Norfolk County Control for their critical role in the prompt activation, coordination, communication, and support of resources throughout the response.

Outstanding work by Holbrook Fire Department, Holbrook Police Department, Norfolk County Control, Boston Sparks Association and all responding tech team members made up of firefighters from multiple local departments!

We would lastly like to wish our patient a safe and speedy recovery.

Massachusetts Association of Technical Rescue Specialists: MATRS

04/06/2026

April Drill – Trench Rescue

This week, members of the Norfolk County Technical Rescue Team trained at Local 4 in Canton, focusing on trench rescue operations.

Across Massachusetts, trenches are dug every day for utility work, construction, and infrastructure projects. While common, these environments can become extremely dangerous in seconds due to the risk of collapse, making specialized training critical for rapid and safe response.

Crews worked through essential skills including:
✅ Trench hazard recognition and scene safety
✅ Shoring operations to stabilize trench walls
✅ Safe entry and movement within a confined trench environment
✅ Patient access and packaging for a trapped worker

Training like this ensures our team remains prepared to handle complex, high-risk incidents, protecting both victims and rescuers.

Great work by all involved!

🎙️ & 📸:Norfolk County Control

12/09/2025

12/09/2025

Today, team members participated in a training drill with HeliService USA, who are a veteran-owned and operated Rhode Island based helicopter operation.

They offer 24/7 FAA licensed air-ambulance and search-and-rescue services, including Advanced Life Support (RI Licensed) paramedic care from offshore and onshore locations.

For today’s training, we started the day with a presentation covering the aircraft, the company, and the capabilities their team brings to emergency operations.

From there, crews moved outside to the aircraft for a hands-on overview of the helicopter, including its Advanced Life Support medical interior, hoisting systems, and the various patient-packaging devices used for rescues.

The training concluded with a live demonstration showcasing their hoisting capabilities and the coordination required between the aircraft and ground personnel during a technical rescue operation.

A huge thank-you to our Deputy Director Greg Smith for putting together an excellent drill and for the introduction to HeliService USA. We appreciate the opportunity to train with their team and expand our team’s capabilities.


Massachusetts Association of Technical Rescue Specialists: MATRS
Norfolk County Control
(PFFM)