FDNY Sending Special Operations Task Force to Assist with Search and Rescue Operations in Erie County Following Unprecedented Snowfall

Fire Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro announced today that the FDNY is sending 41 members of the FDNY Special Operations Command (SOC) Task Force to conduct search and rescue operations within the snow-impacted areas of Erie County, NY.  The SOC Task Force will deploy at approximately 12 p.m. on Saturday, November 22 from Foster Avenue and East 102 Street in Brooklyn.  Members of the FDNY Incident Management Team (IMT) are already in the region assisting with the organization and management of snow removal.  This SOC Task Force deployment comes at the request of the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services. 

“The FDNY is increasing our emergency response to western New York by sending a task force trained in search and rescue operations – skills which will be needed with the widespread potential for roof collapses and flooding over the next several days – to join our members already in place supporting the ongoing snow removal efforts,” said Commissioner Nigro.  “The FDNY is committed to doing all we can to help mitigate this ongoing crisis impacting our fellow New Yorkers.”

The Department has already sent six high-axle, 2.5 ton FDNY vehicles used for transport and special operations to Buffalo.  In addition, the FDNY SOC Task Force is bringing special collapse equipment, including cameras used to search voids in collapsed buildings, and five Zodiac boats with additional swift water rescue equipment to be used in the event of flooding from melting snow. 

The FDNY SOC Task Force consists of specially-trained FDNY Firefighters and Fire Officers with expert knowledge at performing complex search and rescue missions as well as experience responding to building collapses and flood zones.  This task force has previously responded to Broome County, NY in 2011 following flooding from Hurricane Irene and operated during Hurricane Sandy in 2012, helping to rescue more than 500 New Yorkers.

WHERE:        

Foster Avenue and East 102 Street, Brooklyn, NY

 

WHEN:          

Saturday, November 22 – approximately 12 p.m.

**PHOTO OP**