|
|
|
|
 |
Missouri Task Force 1
Missouri Task Force 1 Responds to Structural Collapse in Clinton, MO
Division Chief Gale Blomenkamp - Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Missouri Task Force 1, which is a division of the Boone County Fire Protection District, received a call for mutual aid assistance from Henry County Emergency Management just before 8:30 p.m. to assist with a building collapse that occurred in Clinton Missouri earlier this evening.
An initial recon team of 11 members including Task Force Leader Scott Olsen, K-9 search dogs, and specialty equipment left fire headquarters enroute to Clinton Missouri just 30 minutes after the request was received.
An additional 50 members along with heavy shoring and breeching type rescue equipment and medical supplies loaded on two tractor-trailers departed just 60 minutes later.
The cause of the collapse is unknown at this time, however reports indicate there are 12 people trapped and one person unaccounted for.
Missouri Task Force 1 is one of only 28 FEMA Urban Search and Rescue teams in the country that specialize in search and rescue operations in these types of building collapses. Each of the 28 teams have specialized equipment designed to perform breeching and breaking of concrete and heavy steel, state of the art search equipment including both visual and acoustical devices, medical equipment and K-9 search teams to name a few.
Missouri Task Force 1 performed search and rescue activities at the World Trade Center on 9-11-01, made two deployments to Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans last year and several other events throughout the United States.
“We are very proud to have Missouri Task Force 1 right here in Boone County. Not only are we a federal asset within the FEMA system, Missouri Task Force 1 is available for local, state and regional responses as well”, said Fire Chief Steve Paulsell. “We could not be more of our members for their hard work and dedication”, he added.
|
|
|
| How Can I Help?
|
| Over the past several years, many people, companies and corporations across Missouri have asked, “How can I help Missouri Task Force 1?” There are a number of ways.
|
| First, the Task Force is composed of volunteer participants from all walks of life. In addition to rescue specialists that come to us from the fire service, the Task Force uses structural engineers, hazardous materials technicians, communications specialists, canine search specialists, logistics specialists, physicians, surgeons, nurses, technical information specialists and safety officers. If you are interested in direct participation in the Task Force, please refer to the “How To Join” page within this website.
|
| Missouri Task Force 1 is funded with federal grant funds and some state funding. Following the September 11, 2001 World Trade Center disaster, Missouri Task Force 1 was the recipient of many private donations. These funds are placed directly in equipment replacement and new equipment acquisition. The Task Force remains some $500,000 short of acquiring the complete equipment cache as specified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and donations are certainly appreciated.
|
| Additionally, the Task Force remains in need of ground transportation capability. Presently, the Task Force must rely on borrowed or rented tractor-trailers to transport the Task Force in the event of a deployment. This arrangement causes significant delays in our deployment. Missouri Task Force 1 is presently seeking viable ground transportation. Anyone interested in donating in this manner is encouraged to contact the Task Force office.
|
| Also, the Missouri Task Force 1 continues to develop its training site north of Columbia. One of the vital training “props” is a rubble pile comprised of large slabs of concrete and steel which simulates the collapse of a large steel and concrete structure. The Task Force relies on the donation of large slabs of concrete from demolition sites, highway resurfacing projects, etc. to build the rubble pile. If contractors or developers in the Central Missouri area have such material, they are encouraged to contact the Task Force office. Additionally, many Central Missouri concrete companies that manufacture storm water products, vaults and other concrete structures, from time to time, donate damaged or unmarketable products to the rubble pile, as well.
|
| All donations are tax-deductible.
|
|
|
®2012 Boone County Fire Protection District, Columbia, Missouri |
 |
|
