HC 1058 Summary

• Indiana Task Force One is one of 28 urban search and rescue teams in the United States, established in 1992 with 70 cross-trained personnel serving in search, rescue, medical, hazardous materials, logistics, and planning.

• Sponsored by the city of Indianapolis under the Indianapolis Fire Department and 29 other participating agencies, the team comprises emergency responders from Marion County fire departments and civilians including physicians, paramedics, engineers, and search dog handlers.

• The task force has been deployed three times within Indiana for tornado rescue operations in Klondike, Evansville, and Henryville, and has responded to national disasters including the Oklahoma City bombing, September 11 World Trade Center attacks, Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma, and Hurricane Maria.

• Indiana Task Force One deployed a 14-person Mission Ready Package-Water team to Houston, Beaumont, and Port Arthur, Texas, and sent four additional personnel to support FEMA decontamination operations during Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

• The Indiana General Assembly expresses sincere gratitude to Indiana Task Force One members for their dedication to protecting those in need, with the Principal Clerk to transmit a copy of the resolution to the city of Indianapolis and each task force member.