Bureau of Special Operations
The Milwaukee Fire Department, Bureau of Special Operations (BSO), was created in 2004 to address the emergent concerns of September 11, 2001, as well as the dynamic challenges of domestic preparedness to terrorism response/homeland security. The BSO is the combination of two previously established bureaus; Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Special Teams. A position of Interagency Liaison responsible for homeland security was created to enhance this bureau.
The EMS branch is responsible for providing personnel, training, and equipment to respond to both basic (BLS) and advanced (ALS) life support calls from our citizens. Service is accomplished with 37 engines, 16 ladders, and 12 paramedic units strategically located throughout the city. This branch oversees special programs which include Paramedic First Responders, the training of paramedics to staff engine and ladder companies, thereby enhancing ALS first response capabilities; Paramedic Bicycle Response, allowing paramedics on medically equipped bicycles to better serve at festivals, parades, and large public gatherings; and the Metropolitan Medical Response System, designed to ensure adequate pharmaceutical distribution and treatment to those affected during a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive (CBRNE) incident.
The Special Teams branch is responsible for the coordination and administration of three teams; Hazardous Materials (Haz-Mat), responsible for mitigation of hazardous materials spills or releases, as well as operating one of eight State of Wisconsin Regional Response Teams for Level "A" incidents accountable for protecting Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee, Washington, and the northern part of Jefferson counties; Dive Rescue, responsible for water and ice rescue and recovery services of all kinds; and Heavy Urban Rescue (HURT), responsible for technical rescues including confined space, trench/excavation, high- and low-angle rope and structural collapse rescue.
The importance of firefighter safety, training, and new technology will remain the primary focus of the BSO as it expands into the future. Interoperability with local, county, state, and federal agencies will also become an emerging focus of the BSO.