Published: September 03, 2010

PA Urban Search and Rescue Team Deployed to Massachusetts for Hurricane Earl Response

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Pennsylvania Task Force-1 Activated to Assist in Potential Recovery Efforts

HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Eighty members of the federal Urban Search and Rescue Team, PA-TF1, have been deployed for the anticipated arrival of Hurricane Earl in the northeastern United States, according to Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Director Robert P. French.

The team, which is based out of Harrisburg with members from throughout Pennsylvania, will be staged at Westover Air Reserve Base in Massachusetts.

"These responders are ready to go to work at a moment's notice," said French. "If needed in the aftermath of the hurricane, this team will work quickly to aid anyone who may be trapped or injured."

PA-TF1 is one of 28 certified, operational and deployable federal assets of the National Urban Search and Rescue System established by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. They are comprised of more than 210 personnel from numerous participating agencies. This includes personnel staffing management, rescue, medical, search and technical team positions.

French reminded Pennsylvanians of available resources that can help them prepare for and respond to any emergency. Materials such as home and car emergency kit checklists and emergency plan templates are available online at www.ReadyPA.org or by calling 1-888-9-READYPA.

For more information regarding PA-TF1, visit www.pa-tf1.com.

Media contact: Maria A. Finn, 717-651-2009

SOURCE Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency