Established in 1999, the Special Operations Group or SOG provides professional response to three disciplines: technical rescue, hazardous materials and explosive ordnance disposal (bomb squad). Technical rescue services include confined space; high angle; swift water; breaking and breaching of heavy objects; structural collapse; and trench.

The most deadly construction accident involves trenches. Trenches are dug during new home and business construction and can be more than 20 feet deep. Trenches must be shored (stabilized) before a rescue can begin. Firefighters use a lot of specialized equipment for trench rescues.

Our rescue technicians are also part of the the Kansas City Area UASI Heavy Rescue Team. The team is made up of groups from four fire departments (Kansas City, Missouri; Kansas City, Kansas; Central Jackson County; and Olathe). About 200 members make up the team. The team's seven main rescue disciplines are rope, confined space, extrication, trench, building collapse, water rescue and boat handling. The team is funded by the Urban Area Security Initiative through the Mid-America Regional Council.