NEW YORK TASK FORCE 1 URBAN SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAM DEPLOYS TO VERMONT IN RESPONSE TO SEVERE FLOODS

Forty-six specially trained first responders will support operations in impacted municipalities

July 11, 2023 — New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has activated and deployed the Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) New York Task Force 1 (NY-TF1) team to provide critical assistance to Vermont's flood response and recovery efforts. The US&R NY-TF1 team, comprised of 46 members from the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) and the New York City Police Department (NYPD), is managed by NYC Emergency Management. Two members were also sent to support the FEMA Incident Support Team, one from NYPD and one from FDNY. 

The team departed from NYC Emergency Management's Brooklyn warehouse on Monday evening, traveled to Berlin, VT, and quickly began working in the middle of the night as soon as they arrived to conduct critical operations in partnership with the fire department. Their work continues this morning, focused on supporting evacuations and responding to 911 calls.

"We stand with Vermont during this challenging time, offering our unwavering support and expertise in the face of severe floods,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “This deployment reflects New York City’s commitment to supporting our neighbors in times of crisis, and I am confident our team will bring a wealth of experience in disaster recovery and emergency response to the Green Mountain State as they cope with this disaster. Together, we will work tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of those affected by the floods."

"In response to the serious flood situation and its aftermath unfolding in Vermont, we have deployed our New York Task Force 1 team," said NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol. "Understanding the profound challenges that a storm of this magnitude can present, our highly-trained team is fully prepared to serve the people of Vermont during this critical period. Our heartfelt concern extends to the affected communities across the Northeast who are enduring the devastating impact of these flash floods. As our Task Force embarks on this critical rescue operation, the safety and well-being of all is our primary concern. We are fully committed to a successful operation and the safe return of our brave team members."

“Our FDNY US&R members are part of a valuable team that will work tirelessly to help in search and rescue in Vermont,” said FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh. “This is an elite team of FDNY members, as well as those from the NYPD, and they are highly trained to respond to emergencies at a moment’s notice. They work in dangerous and unstable environments, and we are proud to deploy them wherever needed.”

“The NYPD is always ready to answer the call whenever, and wherever, people are in need,” said Acting NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban. “Now in Vermont, NYPD members and their fellow experienced and dedicated first responders are representing the true spirit of New Yorkers by helping with the region’s flood response and recovery – even in conditions that could pose great risks to themselves. We are extremely proud and grateful for their service.”

New York Task Force 1 specializes in urban search and rescue, disaster recovery, and emergency triage and medicine. The 46-member team, along with two K-9 units, is deploying with various equipment and tools to support its operations, including six boats: four zodiacs for water rescue and two flat bottoms for navigating through flooded neighborhoods, as well as items to support rescues from collapsed structures and confined spaces and a compilation of hazardous materials response equipment. There are 28 FEMA US&R teams strategically located throughout the United States that can be deployed within hours of activation. FEMA has activated two teams in response to the flooding in Vermont.

The FEMA US&R 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 US&R 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. NY-TF1 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, Hurricane Henri in 2021, and Hurricane Ian in 2022.

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