The department organized the Emergency Response Team (ERT) in 1982.  This specialized unit, formerly known as the Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT), is made up of ten volunteer officers.  A Lieutenant is assigned as Commander and supervises the Unit.  Each officer assigned to the Unit is chosen after a rigorous application and tryout process.  The ten Unit members represent every division within the department.  All members are required to attend a basic and advanced SWAT training school, as well as other specialized training based upon their individual assignment within the unit. The Unit is designed to respond to any hazardous situation involving violation of the law.  In addition, the Unit is trained to respond to natural disasters and assists in search and rescue type operations.  During the past year, the Unit has  responded to five calls for specialized service and has logged over 1,200 hours of duty time in both training and actual call-out situations.
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