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When the first fire departments were established, they were intended to do just that... handle fires. However, as society has progressed, so have the inherent dangers. There are still fires, but there are also vehicle crashes, hazardous materials, natural and man-made disasters, industrial accidents, etc... The fire service has assumed the role of protecting lives and property from all of these dangers. The specialized training, equipment, and skills all fall under the broad category of Special Operations. The members of Local 4157 often train, take classes, and provide personal equipment to aid the department in these functions. Auburn is proud to have it's own Public Safety Dive Team, made up of firefighters, police officers, and civilian divers. Auburn is one of only a few dive teams in central MA and not only covers the Town of Auburn, but also provides mutual aid assistance throughout the area.
The members of the Local 4157 have also trained in various other specialties, ranging from SWAT medics, to haz-mat techs, to the various technical rescue specialties.
The Local 4157 currently has members who serve with both the Central MA SWAT Team (CEMLEC) and the MA State Haz-Mat Response Team (DFS). Several of our members are also certified in high-angle rescue, confined space rescue, trench collapse rescue, and urban search & rescue. While the department relies on larger organizations to assist in these critical situations, through dedication and experience the members of the Local 4157 can quickly gain access to vicitims and stabilize them while rescue efforts are initiated.
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