Special Operations aims to respond to incidents requiring Special Operations (e.g. Technical Rescue, All Hazard type incidents) in a safe, effective and efficient manner, thereby protecting people, property and the environment. 

Technical Rescue Operations

The Technical Rescue Operations are part of a larger concept under the Ellis Dallas Unified Cooperative Team (EDUCT). These cities work together to mitigate incidents by providing specialty apparatus or equipment with personnel trained in several different disciplines.  These include but are not limited to:  Hazardous Materials, Swift Water Rescue, Technical Rope Rescue, Confined Space Rescue, Trench/Collapse Rescue and Mass Casualty Incidents.  Apparatus that support these functions are funded through regional grants from State Homeland Security Program (SHSP).

EDUCT is composed of the following participating cities/agencies:

• Cedar Hill
• Corsicana
• DeSoto (Mobile Communications)
• Duncanville
• Ennis
• Ferris
• Glenn Heights
• Hutchins
• Lancaster
• Midlothian
• Ovilla (Air & Rehab Functions)
• Red Oak (Heavy Rescue Operations)
• Waxahachie

Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System

Red Oak is a member of the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS). TIFMAS is a multi-agency group that consists of 6,500 firefighters from 348 departments in Texas that respond to various emergencies supporting the state’s response to hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes, or any other incident that a structural or wildland fire suppression force is needed.

This task force has the opportunity to be the first firefighting group inserted into an area that has been devastated by natural, accidental, or terroristic forces. The area may be totally primitive due to the level of destruction. Therefore, the teams must be self-supporting.

Members of TIFMAS also provide fire and rescue protection for a city or area that has lost the capability to provide its own fire service and join with other forces to fight wildland fires through the Texas A&M Forest Service.