FDNY Members Deployed to North Carolina for Hurricane Florence Rescue and Relief Efforts

September 11, 2018

On Tuesday, September 11th, to support and prepare for pre-rescue and relief efforts of Hurricane Florence, 83 members of Urban Search and Rescue Team (USAR) New York Task Force-1 mobilized at New York City Emergency Management’s Brooklyn facility.

New York Task Force-1 consists of FDNY and NYPD members trained in various forms of technical rescues, particularly swiftwater rescues. In addition to rescue operations, members are able to provide emergency medical care. The members will depart for Kinston, North Carolina via vehicle convoy.

“My dad, Deputy Chief Ray Downey, was killed on 9/11, it is a tough day for the team, but I think all of us believe that we’ve got to do what’s right, and he wasn’t the only one from this team that was lost,” said FDNY Battalion Chief and USAR New York Task Force-1 Leader Joseph Downey. “It’s a tough day but it’s symbolic of what we do here in the city, we have to look at it as we’re doing the right thing for those we lost and our loved ones, we are first responders; we’re always there to help people in the city, or somewhere else.”

Coordinated and overseen by FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency, New York Task Force-1 is managed by the New York City Office of Emergency Management. New York Task Force-1 has been deployed 20 times since 1995. The team has responded to emergencies worldwide, including Hurricane Katrina, the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, Hurricane Matthew in 2016, and to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria in 2017.

In addition to personnel, 17 specialized vehicles with first-responder equipment will be deployed, as well as, six rescue boats, motors, equipment for collapsed structures and confined rescues, and hazardous-materials tools. Six search and rescue canines will also accompany the members.

For photos of the activated deployment, click here.

For updates on USAR New York Task Force-1, click here.