Virginia Task Force 1 Completes Operations in St. Croix

The Virginia Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue team has completed operations in St. Croix after conducting a wide range of reconnaissance operations following hurricanes Irma and Maria, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced late Monday. The team’s activities included search and rescue operations, land and search evacuations and emergency medical services in the most impacted areas.

Upon landing on the island, three rescue squads — each with canine search capability — immediately went to work clearing roads so survivors could safely leave their homes to seek emergency services and supplies. Medically trained members of the team provided care to survivors who required it, including several requiring dialysis.

Virginia Task Force 1 is a highly trained team of emergency managers and planners, physicians and paramedics. It includes specialists in structural engineering, heavy rigging, collapse rescue, logistics, hazardous materials, communications, and canine and technical search.