MDFR USAR FL-TF1 team to deploy to assist in Tropical Storm Isaias response efforts

In preparation for Tropical Storm Isaias landfall, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR)’s Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Florida Task Force One (FL-TF1) has been activated to deploy as a Type I State of Florida asset.

Leaving from the FL-TF1 facility located in Homestead, FL, and expected to stage in Tallahassee, FL, the 88-member team is ensuring that all equipment is prepared and secured for this mission and will be ready to assist residents and other local and state agencies with storm relief efforts.

Equipped with an embedded swift or flood, high water rescue capability, FL-TF1 crews, alongside with four canine teams, will be canvassing the impacted areas to conduct search and rescue missions, disaster recovery and damage assessments following the storm.

The Type I USAR Team specializes in 19 areas, including command and control, technical search, structural assessment and stabilization, planning/technical information, advanced medical care including physicians and medical specialists, hazardous materials mitigation, tactical communications, logistics support, and safety and rescue specialists.

FL-TF1’s mission is to respond to natural and man-made disasters by providing search and rescue support, medical support, communications, damage assessment, and to coordinate the distribution of relief supplies. Throughout its history, FL-TF1 has answered the call during some of the world’s most challenging emergencies, including the Oklahoma City bombing, the World Trade Center collapse, Hurricane Katrina, the Surfside building collapse, and earthquake responses in Colombia, Turkey, Haiti and Venezuela.

MDFR USAR FL-TF1 team is set up to perform the following operations:

• Conduct physical search and rescue operations in damaged or collapsed structures
• Provide emergency medical care at disaster sites for trapped victims and Task Force members
• Carry out reconnaissance duties to assess damage and determine needs, then use that information to provide feedback to all agencies involved
• Provide disaster communications support using state-of-the-art satellite systems
• Conduct hazardous materials surveys/evaluations of affected areas
• Assist in stabilizing damaged structures, including shoring and cribbing operations as required