Suffolk County US&R Training Mobilization Exercise Conducted

From November 3-5, 2018, the Suffolk County Fire Rescue Training Center in Yaphank, NY was the site for Suffolk County’s Urban Search & Rescue (SCTF-1) Task Force annual training Mobilization Exercise (MOBEX). Suffolk County Task Force 1 maintains a fully credentialed and resource typed FEMA Type 3 team, including a swiftwater/flood component.

This year’s drill was comprised of seven different scenarios testing the technical search skills of the task force. They included working with Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD) canine units to identify potential victims entrapped in a collapse and working with technical search equipment, including camera and listening devices, in a collapse scenario involving trapped persons in a simulated building rubble pile.

While the drill utilized all components of the US&R team (plans, medical, technical, logistics), the drill was focused primarily to the search component of the team. Designed by the SCTF-1 program manager and overseen by the SCPD Homeland Security Office, the drill was multifunctional. It was designed to refamiliarize rescue personnel with the specialized equipment utilized by the US&R team and the proper use of those tools, as well as to reacquaint the team members. There are over 110 team members from both Nassau and Suffolk Counties. The drill was a review of skills learned during a 5-day intensive FEMA-sponsored Technical Search Class hosted by the task force that drew participants from several of the FEMA US&R national response teams.

These MOBEX drills occur once a year for the SCTF-1 team due to associated costs and are funded primarily by DHS/FEMA under the auspices of Suffolk County Fire Rescue Emergency Services. At the end of the drill, an after action report is produced, which contains lessons learned and forward objectives to better task force response capabilities.

Due to the types of situations encountered by the US&R team, the drills can be very expensive to conduct. For these drills to be successful, it is critical that all team members participate in all phases of team training and operations. A tremendous amount of energy, participation, and coordination are required for most team-related events.

What is the Value to the Local Jurisdiction?

There are numerous direct benefits to Suffolk County, the surrounding region, and New York state that are worth noting. The task force has participated in the US&R system since 2009. Classified as a FEMA Type 3 response asset, there are currently 110 first responders from Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

• The task force responders learn skills that they would not otherwise be exposed to. These skills are shared with other fire department members and increase the skill level of this community’s first responders.
• The task force responders have established a network of contacts with other fire service, EMS, and law enforcement groups and the Air National Guard, which has had tangible benefits to the community. For example, this has been realized through the reduction of time spent on the creation of policies, procedures, techniques, training programs, and so on. The task force has limited staff capability to dedicate resources to these endeavors. Participating in the US&R system is another mechanism that provides these items to the task force community.
• The task force responders provide a regional service. The US&R system is available to any community in the United States. In the event of a catastrophic event such as terrorism or a natural disaster, SCTF-1 resources are not only available to Long Island, but also state and federal assets are available for deployment if needed.
• The US&R program is another example of regionalization in action. As public dollars become increasingly scarce, the fire service has taken a lead in local government in developing ways to combine agencies, services, programs, and other systems that reduce taxing burdens of our communities.
• Members of the US&R task force believe that participating in this system is the right thing to do – it serves a higher purpose. Imagine if every community closed its borders? Simply said, we will offer nothing and ask nothing in return. A decision such as that would have tremendous implications for our society. Members of the task force (fire, EMS, LE, and ANG) have learned that the sharing of services and resources is the most economical path and one that our communities demand of us. Participating in the US&R system is one branch of this tree.

Summary

Due to the nature of the work, the risks, frequency of occurrences, skill requirements, tools, and such, it is critical that members of both the fire service and the US&R system maintain the highest level of skill and capability. It is what our communities expect from their government agencies. The relationship between US&R and the service is a natural one – much like the relationship that was initiated many years ago between EMS and the fire service. As with many task forces nationwide, in Suffolk County, the relationship has expanded to law enforcement and the Air National Guard. This relationship has allowed task force capabilities to strengthen and expand. As the task forces constantly strive to improve capabilities, they will continue to seek out new partners throughout the neighboring communities to help develop as a greater regional asset. It becomes simply a natural relationship, and one that is an economy of scale.

The task force community has been the recipient of the benefits of the contributions they have made to the US&R program. Some of these benefits are tangible, while others are not. Like many things, it takes a close look, perhaps even participation, to truly understand its value. The task force firefighters who are members of the US&R system take great pride in representing the task force community. They recognize their responsibilities and believe deeply in the importance of participation. They have seen the value that their communities have received and continue to receive through participation in this very important service.

About the Authors:
Brett Martinez is the program manager of Suffolk County US&R Task Force 1. Jonathan B. Kohan is a member of the Plans Team of Suffolk County US&R Task Force 1 and member of NYSAFC’s Special Operations Committee. Dennis Whittam is the PIO of Suffolk County US&R Task Force 1.

New York State Association of Fire Chiefs