The mission of Ohio Task Force One is the location and extrication of victims entombed by structural collapse. This type of work, commonly called Urban Search and Rescue, is one of the most demanding and resource-intensive forms of emergency response. Sophisticated electronic equipment and highly trained canine search units are needed to locate victims hidden deep within collapsed building debris. Vast amounts of manpower and equipment are required to cut and break through tons of heavy rubble. Specialized expertise is needed in the fields of emergency medicine, hazardous materials, and structural engineering. Even the basic necessities such as food, shelter, transportation, and communications must be provided in an area where support services are either sparse or non-existent. Finally, all of this must be provided rapidly, safely, and under the experienced leadership of emergency response professionals. Ohio Task Force One has committed itself to addressing these daunting challenges.

Prior to the events of September 11th, 2001, the core mission of Ohio Task Force One was to provide a collapse rescue response to natural disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes. Since that time, each of the 28 task forces have been upgraded with enhanced equipment and training to meet this newly realized terrorist threat. The core mission of the team is now expanded to include the ability to perform search and rescue operations in a Weapons of Mass Destruction environment.

While our core mission is urban search and rescue, Ohio Task Force One contributes to the state of Ohio’s first responders and citizens in many other ways. Task Force membership requires advanced training in search and rescue disciplines. These skills are immediately available to the local department for which the team member works. Membership on the Task Force also provides opportunities for management and leadership positions, interaction with state and national leaders, and opportunities to work in areas significantly impacted by disaster. The skills and experiences gained by Task Force members prepare them to better serve their community.

Finally, the Task Force is not just a structural collapse response organization. Task Force members are well trained in incident management and can support a planned or emergent response effort with Incident Command Forms and Incident Action Plan development. The Task Force can support a base or camp for a wilderness or other type incident with extensive logistical capability (transportation, shelter, power generation, food, and water). The communications capabilities of the Task Force are also extensive, and can help support local or county platforms to bridge interoperable communications over a rural area, or an incident with a large area of impact.