Quake rescuers return to South Florida
Just before 4:00 p.m. on Monday, Florida’s Task Force 2 Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Team landed at Miami International Airport following their deployment to the devastated areas of Haiti.
Two Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue members, Capt. Kevin Bartlett and Driver/Engineer Allison Dunne were among the 80-member “Red” team. The specialized Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) USAR team, one of only two such teams in Florida, was activated on January 14. What was unique about this deployment was the fact that it was their first international deployment, unusual for a domestic team. The team had many successful rescues including a Pembroke Pines woman trapped in a collapsed grocery store and was highlighted on the local and national network TV news.
In existence since 1991, Florida Task Force 2 (FL-TF2) is one of 28 FEMA USAR teams in the United States. Currently, there are around 200 rostered members on FL-TF2, divided into three teams – Red, White and Blue and alternate monthly standby. The City of Miami Fire Rescue Department is the host agency which supports the extensive functions of the team. Tractor trailers, specialized vehicles and equipment are warehoused in a Miami Fire Rescue facility which serves as the base of logistical operations for the team. Over two dozen South Florida fire departments from Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties make up the team.
Capt. Bartlett is a member of BSFR’s Regional Technical Rescue Team and D/E Dunne serves on BSFR’s Regional Hazardous Materials Team. On the deployment, Bartlett’s assignment was as a Technical Information Specialist and Dunne served as a Hazardous Materials Specialist.
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Posted by Andrea Freygang
on Jan 26 2010. Filed under Broward County, Fire/police, Fort Lauderdale, International relations, Local news.
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