New York Task Force 1 Returns After Deployment to Florida to Assist in Hurricane Ian Response and Recovery Efforts

Emergency Management


Press Release


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
#51-22

NEW YORK TASK FORCE 1 US&R TEAM RETURNS TO NEW YORK AFTER DEPLOYMENT TO FLORIDA TO ASSIST WITH HURRICANE IAN RESPONSE & RECOVERY EFFORTS

Team Supported EOC Operations in Fort Meyers, Florida

October 13, 2022 — The New York City Emergency Management Department, New York City Fire Department and New York City Police Department today welcomed back 48 members of the Urban Search and Rescue team — New York Task Force 1. Activated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and managed by NYC Emergency Management, the specialized team deployed to Florida to assist in response and recovery efforts related to Hurricane Ian.

New York Task Force 1 specializes in urban search and rescue, disaster recovery, and emergency triage and medicine. The 48-member team, along with four canines, was a Type 3 Task Force composed of 24 FDNY members, 23 NYPD members and one NYC Emergency Department member. The team deployed with a number of capabilities including in-water rescue, technical search, canine search, a medical team and logistics/base of operations. This deployment involved a great deal of wide area and canine searches, and the collection of geospatial data documenting damage and those sheltering in place from the devastating impacts from Hurricane Ian.

“I want to thank the brave members of New York Taskforce 1 for assisting in the response and recovery efforts in Florida following Hurricane Ian,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “The team of 48 members from the FDNY, NYPD, and NYCEM have continuously demonstrated selflessness in their mission to help those affected by disasters, and we are proud to honor them on their return home.”

“In New York City we take pride in helping those in need. Today, we are welcoming back the 48 members of New York Taskforce 1 who assisted in the response and recovery efforts following Hurricane Ian in Florida,” said NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol. "Time and time again this specialized unit answers the call – assisting in search and rescue missions while also sharing resources and equipment with affected municipalities.”

“Our FDNY US&R members sent to assist with Hurricane Ian response have worked tirelessly in Florida, and we are grateful for their efforts,” said Acting Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh. “This elite team of our members, as well as those from the NYPD, are well trained to respond to catastrophic events at a moment’s notice. Their ability to perform search and rescue operations in dangerous, unstable environments, is unparalleled, and they are proud to deploy wherever needed.”

“As Floridians endured the devastating impact of Hurricane Ian, our NYPD Urban Search and Rescue responders were proud to be by their side at a time of great need,” said Police Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell. “Together with their FDNY and OEM partners, our officers worked night and day to share their expertise and give everything they could toward the continuing recovery from a ferocious storm. Today, we thank them all as we welcome them home with renewed respect for their capabilities and a profound gratitude for their selfless public service, wherever and whenever called.”

The FEMA Urban Search and Rescue program originated as a response system for natural disasters. Since the program's inception, the task forces have broadened the scope of US&R's work. Two early activations of the Urban Search and Rescue system occurred in response to Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and the 1994 Northridge Earthquake in California.

FEMA US&R teams also activated in response to the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. New York Task Force 1 deployments include Hurricanes Ike and Gustav in 2008, the Haiti earthquake and Hurricane Earl in 2010, Hurricane Matthew in 2016, Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, in 2017, Hurricane Florence in 2018, Hurricane Dorian in 2019, Hurricanes Henri, Ida and the Surfside Building Collapse in 2021. NY TF1 is one of 28 FEMA urban search and rescue task forces across the country.

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