The Chemung County Sheriff’s Office Specialized Services Unit (S.S.U.) specializes in the safety and protection of citizens with the utmost protection against life threatening situations involving the threat of deadly physical force.  The Team may be activated for conditions involving barricaded suspects, hostage situations, high risk drug raids and search warrants, security for visiting dignitaries regarding high security needs, as well as any other duties that may be deemed necessary by the Sheriff and/or Undersheriff.  The S.S.U. Team is comprised of 10 members, to include a Team Commander, an Assistant Team Commander and 8 Deputy Sheriffs, all of whom are specially trained in controlling and resolving high risk or life threatening situations in an expeditious manner with the highest consideration for personal safety of all involved.  In addition to the specialized training that each member of the team has received, they continue to train 16 hours per month.  In 2011, the S.S.U. Team attended a 5-day “High Risk Warrant/Hostage Rescue” training seminar at the Blackwater Training Center in North Carolina.  This training focused on firearm skills for the tactical officer, categorizing warrants, planning and briefing, high risk warrant service, immediate action – rapid deployment, tactical operation center, barricaded suspects, hostage rescues, sniper team roles and stealth entry techniques.