Frequently Asked Questions

Ohio Task Force 1 (OH-TF1) is one of 28 federal teams within the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)'s national Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) System. Within the state of Ohio, OH-TF1 operates as a state asset under the direction of the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (OEMA). 

Members deploy with the team during natural or man-made disasters through inter-agency agreements allowing them to leave their regular jobs in times of crisis. 

Ohio Task Force 1 is comprised of over 200 experts in multiple disciplines of emergency response - from logistics, planning, medical, search, rescue, and hazmat. Our members are highly trained Firefighters, Rescue Technicians, Medical Professionals, Canine Handlers, Engineers, Physicians and Civilians with exceptional specialty skills from various cities, agencies and departments located throughout Ohio and surrounding states.

The Task Force (OH-TF1) is activated and deployed by the appropriate managing agency (FEMA or OEMA) to assist local entities during national or state emergencies such as floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, or natural or made-made situations such as a building collapse. plane crash, or terrorist attacks.  

OHIO TASK FORCE CAN:

• Physical Search and Rescue Operations – in damaged or collapsed structures.
• Emergency Medical Care – for entrapped victims, task force members and search canines.
• Reconnaissance – to determine damage and provide damage assessments for local, state and federal officials.
• Survey and Evaluate Hazardous Material Situations.
• Structural and Hazard Evaluations – of buildings needed for immediate occupancy to support disaster relief operations.
• Stabilization – of damaged structures that include shoring and cribbing operations.
• Coordination of the Federal Resources – in an effect to locate, extricate and provide initial medical care and treatment to victims trapped within collapsed structures resulting from a disaster. Conduct physical search and rescue operations in damaged/collapsed structures.
• Provide emergency medical care for entrapped survivors as well as task force personnel and search canines.
• Conduct reconnaissance to assess damage and needs, providing feedback to local, state and federal officials.
• Assessment/shut off of utilities to houses and other buildings.
• Survey and evaluate hazardous material threats.
• Provide structural and hazard evaluations of buildings needed for immediate occupancy to support disaster relief operations.
• Stabilize damaged structures, including shoring and cribbing.
• Conduct US&R operations in a swift and/or flat water environment.

Ohio Task Force 1 will open applications for new members only every few years as needed. We only accept applications during that time period. We will announce our application period through this web page and through the Ohio Fire Chief's Association. See the Recruiting New Members section of our web page when active. If you do not see a link here, we are not accepting applications at that time.

The majority of our team members work for local fire departments, police departments, state agencies, or hospitals. Potential members have risen to the top in their field with plenty of on-the-job experience. They should have taken opportunities for advanced training in various search and rescue modalities. They need to have a well-rounded support network and the ability to leave with the team on short notice. OH-TF1 provides continuing and advanced training but the initial skill set and required training must be there before applying. Potential members will need to have the support of their employer so, if this sounds like you, begin by speaking with your chief or senior officer to discuss your interest in OH-TF1. Employers must  be able and willing allow members to leave when the team is activated, often with little notice.

You can review federal job descriptions for all of the US&R Task Force positions in the link that follows. Not all of those positions will necessarily be available:
https://nation258.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/USRSystemDocumentation/EQxgcixrRUtChhJjYFV0BTUBEN7W44yGqGSebSHUsJtQeQ?e=KICmLZ

Please reach out to our Public Information Officer, Chris O'Connor at (614) 774-5425 (phone or text) or email pio@ohtf1.com 

Be sure to include your contact information and what organization you represent.

If you are reaching out during an active emergency response, please do not contact individual members of the Task Force. Our PIO will connect you with members who are knowledgable about the situation. 

No, please call 911 if you are experiencing an emergency. Ohio Task Force 1 is not a replacement for local emergency responders and cannot respond to these calls directly. We do not choose when or where we go. We assist at the request of state or local authorities who are best equipped to know the communities they serve.

If the situation is not an immediate emergency, try the non-emergency line for your local fire department, EMS service, police department , or county sheriff's office. 

Disaster situations are best handled by local 1st responders. They know the communities they serve better than anyone. When the incident requires more resources than are locally available, authorities may reach out to nearby cities/counties for assistance. A state urban search and rescue (SUSAR) team may be activated. Neighboring states may respond by request and agreement between the two states. At some point, the magnitude of the disaster may require more manpower, more equipment, or specialty skills and a request for federal assistance may be made by the state. A matrix of many factors will determine which of the 28 federal US&R teams will be activated and whether or not OH-TF1 will be among them. 

Disaster response is locally executed, state/territory managed and federally supported.