The highly trained team comprised of police, fire, and emergency medical personnel was deployed from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. The task force members are skilled in a variety of search and rescue activities including swift water rescue, which will allow them to conduct rescue operations in a flood environment. All costs associated with the deployment will be fully reimbursed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

“Although, the team being deployed to Florida represents a significant portion of the overall task force,” said Colonel Fuentes.” A larger portion of the group and equipment will remain in New Jersey ready to respond to any potential emergency at home.”

New Jersey Task Force 1 is managed by the New Jersey State Police and the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management and has members from all 21 New Jersey counties. In June of this year, FEMA designated the task force as 1 of only 28 nationally recognized urban search and rescue teams in the country. This designation means that New Jersey Task Force 1 has the capabilities to respond to a disaster anywhere within the United States.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you in Florida.

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