Urban Search and Rescue Virginia Task Force 1 explained

Urban Search and Rescue Virginia Task Force 1 or VA-TF1 is a FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Task Force based in Fairfax County, Virginia. VA-TF1 is sponsored by the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department.[1]

Established in 1986 as a domestic and international disaster response resource, sponsored by the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, Virginia Task Force 1 is rostered by approximately 200 specially trained career and volunteer fire and rescue personnel, with expertise in the rescue of victims from collapsed structures, following natural disasters or terrorist attacks.[2]

The team is composed of emergency managers and planners, physicians and paramedics, and specialists in the fields of structural engineering, heavy rigging, collapse rescue, logistics, hazardous materials, communications, canine and technical search.

Virginia Task Force 1 has partnerships with the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency for domestic responses and the United States Agency for International Development's Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance to provide international responses to natural and man-made disasters. As a part of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, the task force maintains constant operational readiness as a local resource for residents of Fairfax County and surrounding jurisdictions.

Deployments

As of June 2024, VA-TF1 has taken part in the following deployments:[3]

!Date!Deployment!Location!Scope!Team
September 2023New HampshireDomestic OtherIncident Support Team (IST)
August 2023Hurricane IdaliaFloridaDomestic OtherIncident Support Team (IST)
2023 Hawaii wildfiresHawaiiDomestic OtherIncident Support Team (IST)
April 20232023 Peru floodsPeruInternational OtherUnited Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC)
February 20232023 Turkey–Syria earthquakeTürkiyeInternational Full TeamHeavy USAR
International OtherDisaster Assistance Response Team (DART)
October 2022Hurricane IanFloridaDomestic OtherOther Domestic
September 2022Incident Support Team (IST)
Domestic Full TeamType III US&R
September 2022Hurricane FionaPuerto RicoDomestic OtherIncident Support Team (IST)
December 20212021 Western Kentucky tornadoKentuckyDomestic OtherIncident Support Team (IST)
August 20212021 Haiti earthquakeHaitiInternational OtherAmericas Support Team (AST)
Other International
RMT
International Full TeamMedium USAR
September 2021Hurricane IdaSomerset, New JerseyDomestic OtherMRP - Water Rescue
August 2021Baton Rouge, LouisianaIncident Support Team (IST)
June 2021Surfside condominium collapseSurfside, FloridaDomestic OtherMRP - Structures
Other Domestic
April 2021AST-UNEP/UNDAC SupportSaint Vincent and The GrenadinesInternational OtherAmericas Support Team (AST)
January 20212021 Presidential inaugurationWashington, D.C.Domestic Full TeamType I US&R
November 2020Hurricane EtaHondurasInternational OtherAmericas Support Team (AST)
October 2020Hurricane DeltaBaton Rouge, LouisianaDomestic OtherIncident Support Team (IST)
September 2020College Station, TexasDomestic OtherIncident Support Team (IST)
September 2020Hurricane SallyLouisianaDomestic OtherIncident Support Team (IST)
September 20202020 Oregon WildfiresSalem, OregonDomestic OtherIncident Support Team (IST)
August 2020Hurricane LauraBaton Rouge, LouisianaDomestic OtherIncident Support Team (IST)
LouisianaDomestic Full TeamType III US&R
December 2019Engineering AssessmentTirana, AlbaniaInternational OtherOther International
November 2019Disaster Assessment Coordination Cell (DACC)Americas Support Team (AST)
September 2019Hurricane DorianThe BahamasInternational OtherAmericas Support Team (AST)
Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART)
International Full TeamMedium USAR
August 2019San Juan, Puerto RicoDomestic OtherIncident Support Team (IST)
East Coast, USADomestic Full TeamType I US&R
May 2019Tropical Cyclone KennethMaputo, MozambiqueInternational OtherDisaster Assistance Response Team (DART)
October 2018Hurricane Michael[4] FloridaDomestic OtherMRP - Water Rescue
Incident Support Team (IST)
September 2018Hurricane Florence[5] [6] North CarolinaDomestic OtherMRP - Water Rescue Alpha
MRP - Water Rescue Bravo
Incident Support Team (IST)
September 2018Hurricane OliviaHawaiiDomestic OtherIncident Support Team (IST)
August 2018Hurricane LaneHonolulu, HawaiiDomestic OtherIncident Support Team (IST)
October 2017Tropical Storm NateAtlanta, GeorgiaDomestic OtherIncident Support Team (IST)
September 2017 Hurricane MariaDominicaInternational OtherAmericas Support Team (AST)
Puerto Rico / US Virgin IslandsDomestic Full TeamType I US&R
September 2017 Hurricane IrmaFlorida / Puerto Rico / US Virgin IslandsDomestic Full TeamType I US&R with Water Rescue
August 2017Hurricane HarveyTexasDomestic OtherMRP - Water Rescue
October 2016Hurricane MatthewPort-au-Prince, HaitiInternational OtherAmericas Support Team (AST)
FloridaDomestic Full TeamType I US&R
April 20162016 Ecuador earthquakeEcuadorInternational OtherAmericas Support Team (AST)
October 2015Hurricane JoaquinSouth CarolinaDomestic Full TeamType I US&R
April 2015Gorkha earthquake[7] NepalInternational Full TeamMedium USAR
January 20152014 Liberia ebola outbreakLiberiaInternational OtherDisaster Assistance Response Team (DART)
June 20142014 Paraguay floodsAsunción, ParaguayInternational OtherAmericas Support Team (AST)
April 20142014 Arkansas TornadoJacksonville, ArkansasDomestic OtherIncident Support Team (IST)
April 20142014 Oso mudslideWashingtonDomestic OtherOther Domestic
November 2013Typhoon HaiyanPhilippinesInternational OtherDisaster Assistance Response Team (DART)
May 20132013 Moore tornadoMoore, OklahomaDomestic OtherIncident Support Team (IST)
November 20122012 Guatemala earthquakeGuatemala City, GuatemalaInternational OtherAmericas Support Team (AST)
October 2012Hurricane SandyEast Coast, USADomestic OtherIncident Support Team (IST)
Domestic Full TeamType I US&R
August 2012Hurricane IsaacAlexandria, LouisianaDomestic OtherIncident Support Team (IST)
August 2011Hurricane IreneVirginia / New YorkDomestic OtherIncident Support Team (IST)
Outer Banks, North Carolina / New JerseyDomestic Full TeamType I US&R
March 2011Great East Japan Earthquake[8] JapanInternational Full TeamHeavy USAR
November 20102010s Haiti cholera outbreakHaitiInternational OtherDisaster Assistance Response Team (DART)
November 2010Hurricane TomasHaitiInternational OtherAmericas Support Team (AST)
September 2010Hurricane EarlBoston, MassachusettsDomestic Full TeamIncident Support Team (IST)
January 20102010 Haiti earthquake[9] HaitiInternational Full TeamMedium USAR
Heavy USAR
March 20092009 North Dakota floodsFargo, North DakotaDomestic Full TeamIncident Support Team (IST)
January 20092009 Presidential inaugurationWashington, D.C.Domestic Full TeamIncident Support Team (IST)
Type I US&R
November 2008Pétion-Ville school collapsePétion-Ville, HaitiInternational Full TeamMedium USAR
November 20082008 Panama floodsPanamaInternational OtherUnited Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC)
October 2008Hurricane OmarMiami, FloridaDomestic OtherIncident Support Team (IST)
September 2008Hurricane HannaHaitiInternational OtherAmericas Support Team (AST)
September 2008Hurricane IkeAlexandria, LouisianaDomestic OtherIncident Support Team (IST)
Domestic Full TeamType III US&R
Jacksonville, FloridaType I US&R
August 2008Hurricane GustavAtlanta, GeorgiaDomestic Full TeamType I US&R
August 20082008 Republican National ConventionMinneapolis, MinnesotaDomestic OtherIncident Support Team (IST)
July 2008Tropical Storm DollySan Antonio, TexasDomestic OtherIncident Support Team (IST)
July 20082008 Midwest floodsMidwest, USADomestic OtherIncident Support Team (IST)
May 2008Great Sichuan earthquakeChinaInternational OtherDisaster Assistance Response Team (DART)
May 2008Cyclone NargisMyanmarInternational OtherDisaster Assistance Response Team (DART)
February 20082008 Bolivian floodsBoliviaInternational OtherUnited Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC)
February 2008USA-193 satellite reentryUSADomestic OtherIncident Support Team (IST)
September 2007Hurricane FelixHondurasInternational OtherUnited Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC)
August 20072007 Peru earthquake[10] PeruInternational OtherUnited Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC)
August 2007Hurricane DeanFort Worth, TexasDomestic OtherIncident Support Team (IST)
May 20072007 Greensburg TornadoGreensburg, KansasDomestic OtherIncident Support Team (IST)
August 2006Hurricane ErnestoFloridaDomestic Full TeamType III US&R
October 2005Hurricane WilmaOrlando, FloridaDomestic OtherIncident Support Team (IST)
October 20052005 Kashmir earthquakePakistanInternational OtherDisaster Assistance Response Team (DART)
September 2005Hurricane RitaFort Worth, TexasDomestic Full TeamType III US&R
September 2005Hurricane OpheliaVirginia Beach, VirginiaDomestic Full TeamType I US&R
August 2005Hurricane KatrinaBiloxi, Mississippi / New Orleans, LouisianaDomestic Full TeamType III US&R
December 20042004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunamiIndonesiaInternational OtherDisaster Assistance Response Team (DART)
August 20042004 Republican National ConventionNew York City, New YorkDomestic OtherIncident Support Team (IST)
August 2004Hurricane CharleyCharlotte County, FloridaDomestic OtherIncident Support Team (IST)
July 20042004 Democratic National ConventionBoston, MassachusettsDomestic OtherIncident Support Team (IST)
June 20042004 G-8 summitSea Island, GeorgiaDomestic OtherIncident Support Team (IST)
February 20042004 Al Hoceïma earthquakeAl Hoceïma, MoroccoInternational OtherDisaster Assistance Response Team (DART)
December 20032003 Bam earthquakeBam, IranInternational Full TeamHeavy USAR
September 2003Hurricane IsabelEastern Seaboard, USADomestic OtherIncident Support Team (IST)
February 2003SS Columbia DisasterEastern Texas, USADomestic OtherIncident Support Team (IST)
August 2002Danube River floodsCzech RepublicInternational OtherDisaster Assistance Response Team (DART)
February 20022002 Winter OlympicsSalt Lake City, UtahDomestic OtherIncident Support Team (IST)
September 2001September 11 attacksThe Pentagon, VirginiaDomestic Full TeamType I US&R
March 20002000 Mozambique floodMaputo, MozambiqueInternational OtherDisaster Assistance Response Team (DART)
November 19991999 Düzce earthquakeDucze, TurkeyInternational Full TeamHeavy USAR
September 1999Jiji earthquakeTouliu, TaiwanInternational Full TeamHeavy USAR
August 1999Gölcük earthquakeİzmit, TurkeyInternational Full TeamHeavy USAR
August 19981998 US embassy bombingsNairobi, KenyaInternational Full TeamHeavy USAR
July 1998Balkan Food DropPescara, ItalyInternational OtherDisaster Assistance Response Team (DART)
September 1996Hurricane FranTopsail, North CarolinaDomestic Full TeamType I US&R
July 19961996 Summer OlympicsAtlanta, GeorgiaDomestic Full TeamType I US&R
September 1995Hurricane MarilynSt. Thomas, Virgin IslandsDomestic OtherIncident Support Team (IST)
August 1995Hurricane LuisSan Juan, Puerto RicoDomestic OtherIncident Support Team (IST)
April 1995Oklahoma City bombing[11] Oklahoma City, OklahomaDomestic Full TeamType I US&R
January 19941994 Northridge earthquakeNorthridge, CaliforniaDomestic Full TeamType I US&R
August 1993Hurricane EmilyTidewater, VirginiaDomestic Full TeamType I US&R
July 19901990 Luzon earthquakeBaguio, The PhilippinesInternational Full TeamHeavy USAR
December 1988Armenian SSRInternational Full TeamHeavy USAR

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: US&R Task Force Locations . FEMA . 26 September 2018.
  2. Web site: Virginia Task Force 1 . Fairfax County Urban Search and Rescue . November 8, 2008.
  3. Web site: Past Missions . 2023-08-04 . Virginia Task Force 1.
  4. Web site: 9 October 2018 . Fairfax Fire/Rescue @ffxfirerescue . 11 October 2018 . Twitter . Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department . VA-TF1 has been activated by @fema as a 16-person water rescue team in response to #HurricaneMichael. Expected departure this morning. @ffxfirerescue.
  5. Web site: 15 September 2018 . Fairfax Fire/Rescue @ffxfirerescue . 26 September 2018 . Twitter . Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department . @VATF1 has been activated. Two water rescue teams will be departing to assist with rescue efforts related to #HurricaneFlorence. #news #fcfrd.
  6. Web site: 15 September 2018 . Fairfax Fire/Rescue @ffxfirerescue . 26 September 2018 . Twitter . Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department . Captain Tracey Reed, member of @VATF1 provides an update. One team departing shortly. #fcfrd #HurricaneFlorence #florence.
  7. Web site: Fairfax Fire/Rescue on Twitter . April 28, 2015 . Twitter.
  8. Web site: 11 March 2011 . Tsunami Update 4: Urban Search & Rescue (US&R) deploying to Japan . March 15, 2011 . FEMA Blog . FEMA.
  9. http://www.usaid.gov/press/releases/2010/pr100112.html USAID Responds Immediately to Haiti Earthquake PRESS RELEASE January 12, 2010
  10. Web site: 11 March 2012 . Virginia Task Force 1 News & Info . https://web.archive.org/web/20120312010637/http://www.vatf1.org/news.cfm/ . 12 March 2012 . Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department . Fairfax County Government.
  11. Web site: 6 November 2009 . Virginia Task Force 1 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160824145625/http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fr/news/2009archive/2009_080.htm . 24 August 2016 . Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department . Fairfax County Government.