Homeland Security/Special Operations Bureau
2144 Monroe Street
Toledo, Ohio 43604
Phone: 419-936-3541
Fax: 419-936-3544
The Bureau of Homeland Security/Special Operations was formed in September 2002 and is responsible for the Toledo Fire & Rescue Department’s preparedness and response capability to Chemical, Biological, Incendiary, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBIRN) Incidents. The bureau also oversees the department’s technical rescue programs and performs major event planning. In addition, members of the bureau manage state and federal grant programs and represent the department’s interests on several committees.
Staff Positions
Deputy Chief Luis Santiago – luis.santiago@toledo.oh.gov
Battalion Chief Thomas Jaksetic – thomas.jaksetic@toledo.oh.gov
Lieutenant Victor Ellis – victor.ellis@toledo.oh.gov
Lieutenant Gregory Tillman – gregory.tillman@toledo.oh.gov
Lieutenant Cheryl Hill – cheryl.hill@toledo.oh.gov
Programs
Regional Medical Response System (RMRS)
RMRS is funded by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) via the Ohio Department of Health and is responsible for planning response to both acute and non-acute mass casualty incidents whether natural or man-made. Such a plan requires the cooperation and coordination of resources from several agencies such as: Public Health, Hospitals, Emergency Management, Police and Fire, and others across the eighteen-county Northwest Ohio Homeland Security Planning Region 1. Lt. Cheryl Hill is the Northwest Ohio RMRS Coordinator. Since 2004, Toledo Fire & Rescue Department has received $544,230 to support this program.
Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS)
The MMRS is funded by the federal government through the State of Ohio Emergency Management Agency (EMA) and is responsible for planning of operational mass care shelters and medical treatment facilities, radiological response, National Incident Management (NIMS) compliance, and prehospital patient management (triage, treatment, and transport). Lt. Victor Ellis and Lt. Gregory Tillman are the MMRS coordinators for Lucas County. Since 2004, Toledo Fire & Rescue Department has received $1,118,067 to support this program.
Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI)
UASI addresses the unique multi-disciplinary planning, operations, equipment, training, and exercise needs of high-threat, high-density urban areas. This program provides funding to high-risk urban areas based on risk and effectiveness. The Toledo Metropolitan Statistical area received $5,307,598 in FY 2005, $3,850,000 in FY 2006, $1,264,500 in FY 2008, and is projected to receive $2,100,000 in FY 2009.
Region One Collapse Search & Rescue Team
The regional collapse search and rescue team was funded through the State Homeland Security Grant Fund Program and is designed to build a response capability for a structural collapse incident as a result of a natural, man-made, or terrorist event. Battalion Chief Thomas Jaksetic is the Strike Team Leader for this team. Since 2003, the team as received $577,104.
Regional Hazardous Materials Response
The Ohio EMA through the State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSG) is funding Hazardous Material teams to build a NIMS Type I response capability in each of the eight State Homeland Security Planning Regions. The eighteen counties of Northwest Ohio make up Ohio’s Planning Region One. The Toledo Fire & Rescue Department has received $30,000 in FY 2007 SHSG and $125,000 in FY 2008 UASI funds for this program.
Region One Public Safety Dive Team
Toledo Fire & Rescue Department received $121,832 from FY 2005 UASI funds to build a public safety dive team with capabilities that include: diving in high hazard environments, surface supply capability, and the ability to conduct side scan sonar operations. The Region One Dive Team has assisted the United States Coast Guard, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the Monroe County and Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Offices, and area fire departments in various operations since 2005.
Region One Swift Water/Flood Dive Team
Toledo Fire & Rescue Department received $14,000 in FY 2007 SHSG funds to purchase equipment to build a regional swift water rescue capability. In addition to the SHSG funds the Toledo Fire & Rescue Department contributed $2,377 to purchase a Jon boat and supplied an equipment trailer. The State of Ohio Water Rescue Technical Advisory Committee with funding from Ohio EMA provided swift water rescue technician level training to area firefighters. It is anticipated this team will be operational by the summer of 2009.
Region One Radiological Response Team
Toledo Fire & Rescue Department is building a regional radiological team that is funded through MMRS. This team will be a component of the Toledo Fire & Rescue Department’s Hazardous Material team and will also respond as a component of the regional collapse search and rescue team.
Toledo Fire & Rescue Department’s Technical Rescue Teams
The Special Operations Bureau is responsible for the oversight of the department’s technical rescue teams and to ensure they are compliant with current NFPA standards.
Civilian Emergency Response Team (CERT)
Toledo Fire & Rescue Department in conjunction with the Lucas County Emergency Management Agency developed the Lucas County CERT program in 2003. The CERT program is responsible for training and preparing civilians to be able to self sustain and respond during disasters that might impact our community. The program has been sustained through funding from Ohio EMA and local businesses.
Committees
Members of the Special Operations Bureau represent the interests of the Toledo Fire & Rescue Department and the region on many committees. These include:
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Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council (ATAC) U.S. Attorney General’s Office
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Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC)
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UASI working group
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RMRS & MMRS
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Hazardous Materials Technical Advisory Committee Ohio EMA
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Water Rescue Technical Advisory Committee Ohio EMA
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Harbor Safety Committee U.S.C.G.
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Citizen Corp Council EMA
The Special Operations Bureau is responsible for the Toledo Fire & Rescue Department’s preparedness and ability to recognize and respond appropriately to traditional and non-traditional threats within our community. Partnerships have been forged with several agencies, including area hospitals, health departments, county emergency management agencies, and police and fire departments within our region to insure open exchange of information, ideas, planning and preparations that translate into a better prepared and safer community. The foundation of a system to identify, assess, prepare and respond to non-traditional threats to our community has been accomplished. The Special Operations Bureau staff will continue striving towards making the Toledo/Lucas County Metropolitan Area a disaster resistant community.