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Hartford Fire Department Tactical Unit 1

Hartford Fire Department Tactical Unit 1

Tactical Unit 1 is housed with Engine 11 and Ladder 5 at
150 Sisson Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105
Phone Number: (860) 757-4631

Tactical Unit 1 responds to all major incidents city-wide including structure fires, extrications, and technical rescues in the city of Hartford.

Tactical Unit 1 responds to approximately 5,000 incidents each year.

History of how Tactical Unit 1 came to be

In early 1980, the city of Hartford was facing two separate issues. There was a lack of heavy rescue resources within the Fire Department, as well as major financial issues that would affect staffing. If an incident required any type of extrication, the city would dispatch one of the six Ladder Companies, which did not carry extrication tools at the time. The city’s Hurst extrication tools were carried in the District cars. It was reported that one of the driving factors that showcased the need for a Rescue company was an extrication where a Ladder Company utilized a torch to remove vehicle doors.

The second issue within the city at the time was financial concerns. In the early 1980s, Engine 7's quarters on Clark Street also housed Engine Company 3, which was responsible for the North Meadows. Engine Company 6, housed on Huyshope Avenue, was responsible for the area surrounding the Colt Factory. These companies experienced high call volumes when the Civil Rights Riots kicked off in the late 1960s. Many years later however, these same companies would experience a massive draw down which, coupled with a financially weak city, would cause them to be considered for closure.

The Fire Department was able to save the manpower of both Engine Companies by converting them into Tactical Units. Not only would the HFD keep the manpower, but they would also establish Rescue companies that proved to be necessary by this time. The term "Tactical Unit" was chosen instead of "Rescue Company," due to the lack of apparatuses and equipment at the time of establishment. At that time, the department could not afford all of the required equipment to be considered a Rescue Company. Chief Stewart's intent was to prevent losing two companies when the city was in such financial trouble and show a good start to the city in forming these new companies. Lee Erdman is credited with working closely with the HFD to acquire the funding for necessary apparatus and tools.

History of Tactical Unit 1

On April 19th, 1982, Official Order #34 was issued, establishing Tactical Unit 1 at Engine Company 8's quarters and Tactical Unit 2 at Engine Company 2's quarters. Consequently, Engine Company 3 and Engine Company 6 were deactivated. Tactical Unit 1 was tasked with the South End of the City and Tactical Unit 2 was tasked with the North End.

After Official Order #34, Department Directive DD-6 was issued on April 19th 1982. DD-6 stated the following:“The purpose and intent of the Tactical Units is to provide Chief Officers with flexible fast-attack manpower squads capable of performing both engine and ladder company operations, as well as additional specialized duties”

Engines 3 and 6 had 1950's era American LaFrance 700 series pumpers that were repurposed as Tactical Units by converting the hose beds into tool storage and eliminating all but one cross-lay. These apparatuses could deploy a single hand-line with a limited amount of water if needed, although this was frowned upon. Engine Company 6's went to Tactical Unit 1 and Engine Company 3's went to Tactical Unit 2. The two Hurst tools were taken out of District 2 and District 3 and given to the Tactical Units. In keeping with not being a Rescue, the founding colors for the 'Tac' were green instead of blue.

New rescue apparatuses on order from Ranger (Division of American Modular Body Corporation) went into service in 1983. These were single axel walk-in rescue bodies built on Ford L8000 chassis. The original American LaFrance Tac Units operated as spares until the HFD machine shop was able to prepare an ex-HFD Engine Company American LaFrance 900/1000 series with a rescue body installed entirely in-house.

From 1982 to 1984/1985, the department provided company-specific front shields for the members of Tac 1 and Tac 2. They featured an offset design similar to old FDNY Squad Company shields. Officers received a patent leather white shield with an offset T 1 or T 2. Drivers and Firefighters received a green patent leather shield with an offset T 1 or T 2.

In 1984/1985, the department chose to remove the leather 5A New Yorker helmets from service and replace them with a combination of metro style Morning Pride and Cairns 660 plastic helmets. This change in gear would be fought by Local 760 for many years. When the helmets changed, the Tactical Units' colors switched to blue for Rescue.

In the late 1980s, Engine Company 2’s quarters underwent a renovation. Due to construction, Tactical Unit 2 was relocated to Engine Company 14’s quarters until the renovation was completed.

During the 10-year period of having both Tac 1 and Tac 2 in service, Tac 2 experienced a much higher call volume in the North End in terms of building fires, rescue calls, and motor vehicle accidents. It should be noted that when one Tac was out on a building fire, the other Tac would not cover the call. It was also a rare occurrence to have both Tac Units operating at the same incident, however this did occur when more manpower or tools were needed.

In 1992, Local 760 received an arbitrated award where the department was now required to provide leather New Yorker N5A helmets to all suppression personnel. When leather helmets came back to service in Hartford, the unit front shields changed from company specific to the FDNY style passport, with the company colors staying with blue for Rescue.

In 1992, the city became financially weak again. Ultimately, concessions were agreed upon with Local 760 downsizing the department from 20 to 17 companies. The eliminated companies were Engine Company 4, Ladder Company 1, and Tactical Unit 2. When Tac 2 closed, Tac 1 was relocated from Engine Company 8’s quarters to Ladder Company 1’s former quarters (275 Pearl Street). Tac 2’s Ford/Ranger was re-numbered as Tac 1 to eliminate any confusion regarding if there were still two Tac Units. Tac 2 would only come on line as a reserve apparatus if a department-wide callback was initiated for large-scale incidents.

In 1995, a MACK MR/Saulsbury walk-in rescue apparatus was purchased and put into operation as Tactical Unit 1. The apparatus was lettered as, "Rescue Co. 1." for the entirety of its service. During this time, the department attempted to re-designate the company as a Rescue Company but ultimately, the Tactical Unit remained despite the truck's lettering.

Starting in the early 2000’s, the call volume was so busy that Tac 1 was identified as the busiest heavy rescue in the country. This is presumably due to combining the runs of both Tac 1 and Tac 2. To hold this title, the company needs to average approximately 5000 runs a year, or 13 runs on average per day.

In 2005, a Ferrara Inferno rescue truck was purchased and placed into service. This had a smaller profile than the MACK, but provided more comfort for the firefighters by utilizing a crew cab instead of a walk-in.

In 2013, the department and Local 760 agreed to having the Tactical Unit trained to the rescue technician levels as outlined in NFPA 1006. This started with rescue core, high angle rope rescue, lead climb/tower rescue, confined space, trench rescue, and vehicle/machinery rescue. When the funding and scheduling allowed for it, these skills would be followed with mineshaft/tunnel rescue, SCUBA, collapse, and swift water rescue. Prior to 2013, any member of the HFD could be assigned, work overtime, or be detailed to Tac 1. Per this agreement, the company now became a closed shop requiring a minimum of four rescue technicians at any given time.

In December 2019, the decision was made to close 275 Pearl Street. Tactical Unit 1 relocated to Engine Company 11’s quarters at 150 Sisson Avenue.

In February of 2020, a Spartan/Marion rescue truck was purchased to replace the Ferrara. This was a dual walk-in truck with a crew cab for ease of access and crew comfort.

In summer of 2020, the quarters of Engine Company 11 were closed for renovation. Tactical Unit 1 was relocated to Engine Company 7’s quarters on 181 Clark Street. The company would not relocate back to Engine 11’s quarters until fall of 2021.