Responding to Hurricane Ike

Colorado Task Force One (CO-TF1) is one of 28 Urban Search and Rescue Task Forces nationwide under the National Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Urban Search and Rescue Response System. CO-TF1's primary mission is Urban Search and Rescue operations for local, state, and national disasters. CO-TF1 is also equipped and trained to handle Weapons of Mass Destruction incidents encountered during these operations. Participation in the CO-TF1 is voluntary.

Currently, 11 members of the Arvada Fire Protection District are members of CO-TF1.  Seven responded to Hurricanes Gustavo (Louisiana) and Ike (Galveston Texas):  Lieutenant Clay Steward (plans team leader), Lieutenant Todd Gilgren (search team leader),  Dan Snyder (search team leader), Chris Ambrosio (search), Tim Kautz (transportation leader), Seth Smith (logistics), and Jamie Denison (hazardous materials). 

During any deployment all salaries, backfill, and overtime is reimbursed by FEMA.  Therefore, there are no decreases in services or protection to AFPD citizens.  Furthermore, the education and experience for our firefighters is invaluable.

The deployment to Gustavo and Ike was unusually long given the timing of the two storms.  It was logistically and financially more reasonable to keep the teams in place for both storms.  Both Gustavo and Ike made landfall as category two hurricanes and resulted in plenty of work for the crews.

While the crews were busy and trained everyday during the 20-day deployment, their two days in Galveston, Texas were the most productive.  Here is a quick break down of what the team accomplished:
• Three square miles covered by COTF1; four square miles searched by Division; 75% of the work was accomplished by COTF1.
• 1027 homes contacted by the Division;  808 contacted by COTF1; 79% of the work was accomplished by COTF1;, 6474 total homes viewed.
• 147 total division evacuees; 126 total evacuees assisted by COTF1; COTF1 assisted 86% of the evacuees.
• 405 pets contacted; 373 shelter in place; COTF1 reached 92% of the pets; 35 were evacuated out of 46 for the division; COTF1 reached 85% of the pets.
• 2,609 people chose to shelter in place; COTF1 reached 2,367; 91% of the people who chose to shelter in place were reached by COTF1