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January 21, 2005
Holly Smith
Sr. Community Information Specialist

Five years after setting out to form the area’s first type III technical rescue team, Volusia County has earned certifications to put its team on the call-out list to respond to a major disaster in Florida.

“The Volusia County Fire Services Technical Rescue Team is the only type III technical rescue within 45 miles to have the skills to respond to all types of disasters,” said Deputy Fire Chief Kathy Weaver. “Not only are we able to assist County residents, but we’re ready to respond to any disaster where our services are needed.”

The team now is recognized in the state emergency response plan as a type III urban search and rescue (USAR) task force. The nearest teams with this advanced designation are in Ocala and Tallahassee.

As a state rescue asset, the team will gain $50,000 in specialized equipment, including a snake eye to look into collapsed structures for victims, an air bag set to support up to 245 tons and a hydraulic extrication tool. Members also will undergo additional training to conform to state USAR requirements.

“This designation means we may be called out during or after a major disaster, such as three hurricanes in five weeks,” Weaver said. “We could respond regionally and or statewide to assist in USAR or other technical rescue activities.”

When requested, the County will send a 22-member team that can be self-sufficient for at least 24 hours.

Volusia’s team is trained in swift-water rescue, rope rescue, wilderness search and rescue, confined space and structural collapse. The team is comprised of Volusia County firefighters, Beach Patrol members and Correctional officers.

Type III technical rescue teams must gather personnel and equipment to be on the road within three hours of receiving a mission, Weaver said. These teams do not work with heavy wall concrete construction. Type I and II teams handle heavy wall concrete construction and have six hours to deploy.

For more information, please contact Weaver at (386) 736-5940.

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Volusia County, Florida.