The Departments ESU unit is a full time tactical team assigned to the water supply. I am not a member of the unit so I can only list the training/job skills I know they have, there may be more. They are there for any tactical situation that is outside the realm of what the patrol officer can handle. They are also trained to perform several types of rescues, confined space, high angle rope, ice as well as swift water rescue. They are also trained in HazMat tactical operations, if the spill is of a criminal nature they are to clear the area prior to FD entering the scene. One of the biggest problems is that they are just as spread out as our patrol division causing a huge response time issue.
And Chris your right the numbers are misleading, we only have around 100 Officers for an area the size of Maryland. I know in my command I cover the five boroughs of NYC so that should give me 30,000 – 40,000 other Officers in the same area, but how many are assigned directly to the water supply? I know on average I turn out 2 maybe 3 officers per tour to patrol lower Westchester and the five boroughs. The number of Officers we turn out are the about same for the Command north of 287 which covers Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties.