New Jersey Search & Rescue Team Receives Federal Boost

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Reps. Frank LoBiondo (R-2nd)  and Chris Smith (R-4th) announced Sept. 16 that the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Urban Search & Rescue Strategic Group has unanimously recommended that New Jersey Task Force One (NJ-TF1) enter the National US&R System. 
 “Once NJ TF1 receives final approval, this long overdue designation will bolster both our state and our nation’s emergency preparedness,” stated Smith in a release. His district includes the NJ-TF1 Training Facility in Lakehurst. “The Task Force is an elite team that has long been recognized for their capacities and I urge FEMA to approve the final designation expeditiously.”
“This important recognition from FEMA shows what we’ve known in South Jersey for a long time: The professionals of NJ-TF1 are among the best urban search and rescue personnel our country has to offer. Their skills have been put to the test and exceeded national standards, from the Tropicana parking garage collapse to Hurricane Sandy and countless o‎ther emergencies. I applaud Chief Jim Riley and his team for their continuing hard work,” stated LoBiondo.
The New Jersey delegation has been pushing FEMA to make this designation since the NJ TF1 was one of the first teams in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001 to respond to the horrific attacks. 
Among other efforts, since 2002, Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-11th) has taken a lead and sponsored legislation—supported by the majority of the delegation—to direct FEMA to expand the number of teams participating in the program and designate New Jersey’s Task Force 1 as a participant. 
NJ TF1 provides advanced, technical search and rescue capabilities in structurally collapsed buildings and natural disasters. In addition to the 9/11 attacks, the task force played an important role in the Hurricane Irene and Superstorm Sandy response.
New Jersey will join 27 other teams that are included in the National Urban Search and Rescue System.