Captain David Baker is an 18-year fire service veteran who serves on the Anaheim Fire Department. In 2009, he launched his own confined-space rescue company and wanted like-skilled employees. So he turned to the fire service.

He built a 20-member crew made up of full-time firefighters, retired firefighters and academy graduates that are looking to become firefighters. BRS personnel are certified to confined space technician level as well as being EMT, paramedic and hazmat certified and are members of the CATF-5, CATF-1, CATF-2, CATF-6, Type I OES teams.

Baker himself has had 15 years of experience in specialized rescue and over 12 years in teaching rescue to other fire department personnel. He is an active member of Anaheim’s OES Type I US&R Team and is currently a rescue squad officer for FEMA CATF-5.

Baker says that limiting hiring to only firefighters affords them professionally trained rescue personnel that train on a daily basis and who are intimately familiar with PPE, SCBA and supplied air systems.

The team trains at least twice a month. While they do not train with other agencies, they do train at many client sites. This gives them different challenges from each location.

BRS has multiple trucks and trailers filled with confined space rescue gear. And it has an open water boat for water rescue operations.

BRS says its biggest win is every job that results in no injuries, accidents, or near misses.

The team’s biggest challenge is retaining the best talent. The company says it has turned this challenge into a positive because it makes them train regularly. That’s because they are constantly training new employees and getting their knowledge and skill base to where it needs to be.