The Fire & Rescue Department co-operates a type II search and rescue team with the Cleveland County Emergency Management (CCEM)  that provides specialized technical rescue services.  The team is fully equipped for complex operations in structural and trench collapse, confined space entry, swift water operations, land search, high angle rope, and machinery rescue.  The equipment is based and maintained at the CCEM facility in Shelby for ready deployment.  The primary mission of the  Fire & Rescue Department is to provide the team with trained responders and operational support.  The department's heavy rescue apparatus is available to deploy in advance to incidents throughout the county to begin rescue operations while the search and rescue team resources are being mobilized.