New Mexico Task Force I (NM-TF1) is an Urban Search and Rescue response team designed to provide a coordinated response to disasters in urban environments. Emphasizing the location and extrication of victims trapped in collapsed structures, confined spaces, or trenches in largely populated areas, the task force is capable of responding to State and National disasters including earthquakes, hurricanes, widespread tornadoes, and man-made technological and terrorist events.

NM-TF1 is one of 28 National Urban Search and Rescue team in the nation, which FEMA coordinates. NM-TF1 is comprised of 210 personnel on three 70-person teams which include HazMat and WMD technicians representing numerous fire departments and organizations throughout the state. Designed to be logistically self-sufficient for the first 72 hours of operation, the task force is able to function for up to 10 days.

Each 70 person task force is further divided into two groups, each of which operates in 12-hour shifts on a disaster scene. All task force members must be sufficiently cross-trained in search and rescue skill areas to ensure depth of capability and integrated task force operations. NM-TF1 is truly a multi-disciplinary organization that includes four areas of specialists:

Each task force brings its own equipment cache to the scene. At an estimated cost of $2.0 million, this cache includes over 12,000 items and weighs in excess of 53,000 pounds. The specialized equipment includes hydraulic jacks, rams, shoring, high-tech listening devices, hazardous material monitoring equipment, specialized victim location devices, breaching, breaking and lifting equipment, and specialized medical and triage equipment.

Each task force is designed for rapid deployment in an emergency. NM-TF1 will be based out of Albuquerque, NM. All members must meet a four-hour window for mobilization.

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