Special Operations Group

Established in 1999, the Special Operations Group or SOG provides professional response to three disciplines:

  • technical rescue (confined space, high angle, swift water, breaking and breaching of heavy objects, structural collapse and trench)
  • hazardous materials
  • explosive ordnance disposal (bomb squad).

Our rescue technicians are also part of the the Kansas City Area Urban Area Security Initiative Heavy Rescue Team which has about 200 members. The team is made up of groups from four fire departments:

  • Kansas City, Missouri
  • Kansas City, Kansas
  • Central Jackson County
  • Olathe

The team's seven main rescue disciplines are:

  • rope
  • confined space
  • extrication
  • trench
  • building collapse
  • water rescue and boat handling
  A Special Operations Group member practices helping a victim using ropes. A technician practices using a concrete cutting chain saw.

A rescuer uses a special torch after a structural (building) collapse.
    A bomb technician wears protective gear.  A hazardous materials technican gets cleaned off.