FDNY’s Urban Search and Rescue Team Deploys for Relief Efforts in Haiti
Capt. James Davolio and Lt. Paul Rogers prepare to leave for Haiti as part of the FDNY's Urban Search and Rescue team. Thirty-six firefighters, four paramedics and two FDNY physicians were deployed with the team on Jan. 14.
Forty-two members of the FDNY’s Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team were deployed to Haiti on Jan. 14, to assist with the relief efforts following the magnitude 7 earthquake that occurred on Jan. 12.
The group, sponsored by New York City’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), includes 36 firefighters from the Special Operations Command, four rescue paramedics and two FDNY physicians.
Each has diverse, highly-specialized training in a variety of disciplines, including collapse operations, rope rescue, high-angle rescue, rigging, confined space rescue and emergency triage. They will provide any support needed in response to the harsh conditions in the area.
The FDNY members are joined by 40 members of the NYPD as part of the New York Task Force 1. The members and approximately 20 tons of equipment departed from Stewart Air Force Base in Newburgh, N.Y.
The FDNY members will provide any support needed in response to the harsh conditions in the area.
Managing the group is Rescue Battalion Chief Joe Downey, whose late father, Deputy Chief Ray Downey, started the USAR program. Chief Ray Downey was killed in the World Trade Center attacks.
The team is self-sufficient and able to operate for at least 72 hours from the time they reach the island, with their own supply of water, food and shelter.
The FDNY’s USAR team members most recently responded to the Gulf Coast region in 2008 for Hurricane Gustov. There are 28 USAR teams located throughout the United States, which can be deployed within six hours of activation.
The members deployed include:
BC Joseph Downey, Rescue Battalion
BC James Yakimovich, Rescue Battalion
Capt. James Davolio, HM-1
Capt. Liam Flaherty, SOC
Capt. James Murray, R-5
Capt. James Kiesling, SOC
Capt. Steve Spall, SQ-61
Lt. Al Adissi, SQ-61
Lt. Thomas Donnelly, R-1
Lt. Thor Johannessen, SQ-18
Lt. David Marmann, SQ-270
Lt. James McQuade, REB
Lt. William Reddan, SQ-252
Lt. Paul Rogers, HM-1
FF Robert Athanas, R-3
FF Greg Manning, SQ-41
FF Rich Baudille, SQ-270
FF Patrick McKenna, R-3
FF Jeremy Cassel, R-3
FF Edward Morrison, R-2
FF Chris Dunic, SQ-288
FF Jason Ribisi, SQ-18
FF Jason Faso, R-1
FF Ed Sanchez, SQ-288
FF Ray Griffin, R-4
FF James Sandas, R-2
FF Thomas Ihnken, R-5
FF Scott Sarnell, HM-1
FF Darren Jacobs, SQ-1
FF William Spiess, SQ-1
FF Steve Katz, RES BN
FF Alex Streicnenwein, R-3
FF Mike Lazzari, HM-1
FF Michael Lindy, SQ-41
FF Kevin Maloney, HM-1
FF Chris Mandeville, R-1
Dr. Dario Gonzalez, OMA
Dr. Glenn Asaeda, OMA
Lt. Rafael Goyenechea, HazTac
Lt. Ian Swords, HazTac
Paramedic James Mondello, Station 45
Paramedic Ricardo Quintero, Station 20