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PFD Urban Search and Rescue:
AZ Task Force One

The AZTF is broken down into four main groups: Search Team, Rescue Team, Medical Team and Technical Team. The Search Team uses dogs, listening devices, Search-Cams and other technical search equipment to find victims buried under the debris of a disaster. The Rescue Team is skilled in rescue tactics and techniques such as in breaching and extrications, rope rescue operations, confined space rescue, shoring and stabilization. The Medical Team is responsible for all team member medical needs. The Technical Team includes structure specialists such as engineers, hazardous materials specialists, heavy rigging, equipment specialists, communications and logistics specialists.

AZTF-1 at the Salt Lake City Olympics

AZTF-1 at the World Trade Center in New York

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AZTF-1 at the 2002 Winter Olympics

Arizona Task Force-1 finished a week of "standing-by" for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. They were stationed at a nearby military base near Salt Lake City and were ready to support the immediate response efforts in case of a structural collapse or other incident requiring their expertise.

Arizona Task Force-1 (AZTF-1) is part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s FEMA) Urban Search and Rescue System. AZTF-1 has also received extensive training in responding to incidents involving Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), such as chemical, biological or radiological agents. They are one of 28 Urban Search and Rescue Teams and one of only 6 teams that have been designated as “ Enhanced WMD” qualified. These 6 Enhanced WMD Teams had been rotated through duration of the Olympics, with 2 teams being available at a time.

FEMA supported the State of Utah in order to coordinate an immediate response in case something were to happen that would affect the safety of people and property. In this role, FEMA worked with more than 60 local, state and federal agencies for almost two years to ensure public safety during the Olympic games.

AZTF-1 has already been extensively trained in structural collapse search and rescue, as well as extensive WMD training. This fits well with the extensive hazardous materials training that most members have already received. This training has given them the ability to provide assistance across the Country, as well as an enhanced response capability for the local community. AZTF-1 includes members of the Phoenix Fire Department, doctors, structural engineers, computer specialist, radio communications specialist and canine search dog handlers.

The Salt Lake City Olympic deployment brought many task forces together, creating a unique opportunity to train for future possible deployment scenarios and develop plans and procedures for use in an actual event. While standing by, the team conducted extensive training in various aspects of urban search & rescue and WMD, as well as cold weather training - in which they went high in the mountains near Salt Lake City. The 81-person Team returned to Phoenix at the conclusion of the 2002 Winter Olympics.

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AZTF-1 in New York

The Phoenix Fire Department's Urban Search and Rescue Team (AZTF-1) returned to Phoenix on Friday, September 28th after spending eight days at the World Trade Center site in New York City.

Sixty-three members of AZTF-1 arrived at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey on Thursday (9/20), and were transported to New York in the afternoon. Rescue and Recovery efforts at the World Trade Center site were called off that evening due to weather. AZTF-1 members began their work on Friday morning.

The team was divided into two shifts - a 12-hour day shift and a 12-hour night shift. They were assisting the Fire Department of New York in The Plaza area, which is located between Towers 1 and 2, and buildings 4 and 5. Their work involved cutting with torches and steel work. They also used the search cameras and dogs to help in the recovery of victims. Unfortunately, no victims were found alive.

All of the workers at the World Trade Center site have been making significant progress. Some of the streets have been getting cleared, and several businesses began to re-open, as close as two blocks away from the site.

AZTF members reported that on their way to and from the World Trade Center site, the streets were lined with people holding signs and shouting, "We Love You!" Many celebrities have been lending a hand to the hundreds of workers, as well. Debra Winger, Matthew Modine, Susan Sarandon, Sigourney Weaver, Loretta Swit, Bianca Jagger and more have either stopped by to help serve food to the rescuers, or to just say, "Hi!"

The team members worked hard during their week in New York, but felt it was worth every minute to support their fellow fire and police department brothers and sisters.

To find out how you can help the victims and their families, click HERE