Nebraska Task Force 1: Battling Destruction Near & Far

By: Stephanie Morrissey - Email

Updated: Mon 5:09 AM, Oct 15, 2012

"Our task force has been deployed to many big events. The World Trade Center, the Joplin tornado, Hurricane Katrina and other national security events."- Eric Jones, Task Force Leader

Urban search and rescue teams - they're elite groups of people trained to prevail in the most devastating situations. The state is lucky enough to have one right here in Lincoln. It is known as Nebraska Task Force 1.

A three story building collapsed and the victims were still trapped inside. Nebraska Task Force 1 drilled through a concrete wall to save them.

This was the scenario task force members faced during their yearly training exercise on Sunday. But there was one element of the exercise they weren't used to.

"This is the first time we've operated on our ability to work in a contaminated environment. The scenario was a dirty bomb; a radioactive device that had gone off and spread over a small area," said Eric Jones, Task Force Leader and Lincoln Fire & Rescue Battalion Chief.

The task force may not have much experience with radioactive material but they have been involved with some of the country's most horrendous situations.

"Our task force has been deployed to many big events. The World Trade Center, the Joplin tornado, Hurricane Katrina and other national security events," Jones said.

Having one of the nation's few teams is an asset back home as well.

"This team is in addition to having a great fire and rescue team. Our firefighters get outstanding training. We have equipment at our disposal we wouldn't normally be able to afford on our budget," Jones said.

It's yearly training that keeps them prepared for any situation, in any part of the U.S.

"We smile and laugh about the things we're doing great. Those are feel good things. But at the same time it gives us a chance to find the things we need to work on for the next year," said Jones.

There's also trauma specialists and K9 handlers on Nebraska Task Force 1. Jones says this only adds to the types of situations the team can respond to.