The Hill Report

U.S. Congressman Pete Sessions (R-Dallas) today officially presented a $1.3 million grant check to the Dallas Fire Department. This federal grant was administered by the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) Office of Grants and Training for the acquisition of local Urban Search and Rescue Task Force (USAR) equipment.

Sessions joined city officials and local fire officials for the presentation ceremony, which took place at Dodd Miller Training Academy in Dallas at 2:00 PM on Thursday, April 5, 2007. Attendees include Dallas Councilwoman Pauline Medrano, Fire Chief Eddie Burns, and Deputy Chief of Special Operations Kenneth Johnson. Additionally, James Thomason, Fire Program Specialist with FEMA’s Region IV Office of Grants and Training, was on hand to make the presentation.

Today’s presentation ceremony celebrates the launch of the Dallas Regional Urban Search and Rescue Task Force (USAR). This specialized task force was developed to provide an immediate response to structural collapse incidents, resulting from man-made disasters such as terrorist attacks or natural catastrophes.

In addition to establishing the Task Force, the grant funding is used for specialized USAR equipment and vehicles, many of which were displayed at today’s presentation ceremony. Sessions and other attendees had the opportunity to learn about this specialized equipment, and also to thank the firefighters for their work in protecting the public.

“The men and women of the Dallas Fire Department put their lives on the line each day for their fellow citizens,” said Sessions. “This grant provides critical resources for 21st century first responder capabilities,” Sessions continued, “and this funding will enable them to more effectively carry out their mission of saving lives. I thank the men and women of the Dallas Fire Department for their dedication and congratulate them for being selected to receive this grant.”

Modeled after the FEMA Type III Urban Search & Rescue Task Force, the USAR brings together the disciplines of technical rescue, search, structural collapse, hazardous materials response, disaster medicine specialists, logistics, and planning team managers. Department of Homeland Security grants and a significant commitment from the City of Dallas, provided the funding and personnel resources necessary to develop this regional emergency response capability.

The local USAR team Texas Task Force 2 commenced on April 1, 2007. Dallas is the only city in Texas and among only a few cities nationally to operate an immediately deployable Urban Search & Rescue Task Force.