HFD is the fourth largest fire department in the United States and is responsible for preserving life and property to a population of 1.9 million in an area totaling 617 square miles. The Rescue Team is under the Special Operations Division of the HFD. There are two companies that run out of stations 11 and 42. The trucks are staffed with  individuals who are highly trained in a number of areas including vehicle and industrial extrications, high-angle incidents, tunnel rescue, swift-water rescue, confined space, collapsed structures, trench cave-ins, and RIT operations.

Thanks to the hospitality of these brave fire fighters, who where generous in taking some time informing us about their trench shoring equipment and ways of rescuing men.