The Technical Rescue Team is called to deal with more complicated incidents to assist regular crews. High angle rescue, confined space rescue, trench rescue, and swift water rescue are just a few examples of situations that may arise in which our regular crews need additional assistance.

The County's first Technical Rescue Team was formed in 1996 with donations of a heavy rescue truck from Clark Public Utilities and equipment donated by a number of businesses and community members in the greater Hazel Dell area. Coordinated by Fire District 6 in Hazel Dell, the TRT solicited help from a number of other fire districts including Clark County Fire & Rescue. The team evolved over the years into a group of highly trained individuals made up of members from Clark County Fire & Rescue and Fire Districts 3 and 6.

In 2005, the County TRT consolidated training and operations with Vancouver Fire's TRT. Homeland Security grants have provided additional equipment that allows the team to expand their scope of rescue to a possible terrorist incident. Members have also had the opportunity for advanced training in urban search and rescue as well as structural collapse rescue techniques.

The TRT is asked to respond to incidents in Clark, Cowlitz, Skamania, and Wahkiakum counties. The consolidated regional team is now comprised of 30 firefighters.