NEW JERSEY – Members of New Jersey Task Force 1 (NJ-TF1), the state’s elite urban search and rescue team, have been deployed to assist with ongoing federal flood response operations in Texas and New Mexico.
At the request of the FEMA National Urban Search & Rescue (US&R) Response System, NJ-TF1 has sent personnel as part of the Blue Incident Support Team (IST) to support local communities hit hard by recent severe flooding.
Among those deployed:
- Peter Lee, Planning Team Manager and Lieutenant with the Englewood Fire Department in Bergen County, is serving as the IST Situation Unit Leader in Kerr County, Texas.
- Bradley Ladislaw, Logistics Manager and Firefighter with the Hamilton Fire Department in Mercer County, is supporting the IST Point of Arrival Mobilization Center, also in Kerr County.
- Alice Holmes, a Canine Specialist and affiliated member of NJ-TF1, and her canine partner Finn, are deployed as a Human Remains Detection (HRD) Canine Search Team to aid operations in Kerr County.
- Daniel Direnzo, Rescue Squad Officer and NJ-TF1 affiliated member, is deployed as the IST Deputy Planning Section Chief in Ruidoso, New Mexico, where flooding has also caused significant damage.
The deployment is part of a broader federal effort involving multiple task forces and specialized teams coordinated by FEMA to assist states impacted by the ongoing flooding crisis.
“We are proud of our NJ-TF1 members for answering the call and supporting communities in need. Stay safe and thank you for your service.” the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management said in a statement.
