[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 29 (Wednesday, March 3, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E292]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING MIAMI-DADE COUNTY FIRE RESCUE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 3, 2010

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I would like to honor and offer my 
sincerest thanks to the Miami-Dade County Fire Rescue team, 
specifically the Urban Search and Rescue branch, for their heroic 
efforts in aiding the relief work in Haiti.
  Within hours of learning that a magnitude 7.0 earthquake had struck, 
Division Chief Dave Downey had organized a task force of 80 strong to 
respond. With minimal preliminary information, Chief Downey's task 
force began to mobilize immediately after the earthquake struck on 
January 12. Having responded to domestic disasters in the past 
including Hurricane Opal, the World Trade Center and Hurricane Katrina, 
Chief Downey's Florida Task Force 1 was well equipped to help the 
devastated town of Port-au-Prince.
  Overcoming logistical difficulties such as the transportation of 
nearly 100 search and rescue personnel as well as their 62,000-pound 
equipment, the efforts of Florida Task Force 1 resulted in the largest 
number of survivors ever rescued in history. Rescuing their first 
victim almost 24 hours before their equipment had even arrived, we 
should all be proud of Chief Downey's team and the devotion they showed 
in executing a successful rescue mission.
  In Chief Downey's own words, ``The breadth of this disaster was 
overwhelming.'' With a full view of the destruction, Florida Task Force 
1 was forced to overcome countless challenges. With no Internet access 
or pre-established GPS formats, the task force had no other option but 
to plan their mission using old tourist maps for the first few--and 
most chaotic--days. Risking their own lives to save others, the courage 
and dedication of Florida Task Force 1 is truly an example to us all. 
Confronted with their greatest enemy--time--I commend the Miami-Dade 
Fire Rescue team for their quick and selfless response to the crisis in 
Haiti.
  At this time, I would like to submit the names of each individual 
that made up the courageous Florida Task Force 1:

       Alvarado, Patricio; Alvarez, Andres; Baker, Robert; Bell, 
     Raymond; Borz, Ronald; Bramblett, Colette; Bustamante, 
     Miguel; Caballero, Derrick; Canfield, Michael; Capote, 
     Ernesto; Catapano, Kristian; Chung, Richard; Cooper, Rhaudal; 
     Cuminale, Michael; Dombrowski, Lawrence; Downey, David; 
     Driscoll, Stephen; Fernandez, Jorge; Fernandez, Louie; 
     Ferraro, John.
       Fregeolle, Gary; Garcia, Frank; Garcia-Menocal, Jose; 
     Gelabert, Brian; Gelabert, Manuel; Gimenez, Carlos; Gonzalez, 
     Mario; Gonzalez, Orlando; Gonzalez, Ralph; Hale, Marc; Hall, 
     Richard; Herrera, Ernesto; Hook, Andrew; Hooten, Chad; 
     Jacobs, Edan; Jenkins, Millard; Lefur, Rachelle; Licea, 
     William; Machado, Andres; Major, Malcolm.
       Mardice, Yves; Marks, Michael; Matos, Janice; Mclellan, 
     Gregory; Moise, Rudolph; Mullin, Scott; Neetz, Jacqueline; 
     Oldfield, Jeffrey; Oldfield, Monica; Parker, Pamela; 
     Paternoster, Brandy; Paul-Noel, Karls; Pellon, Alejandro; 
     Perez, Alberto; Perla, Marcelo; Perry, Alan; Post, Brandon; 
     Pozo, Rafael; Ramos, Sergio; Richard, Stacy.
       Rodriguez, Jairo; Rodriguez, Pedro; Rouse, Jeffrey; 
     Santana, Luis; Selts, Jack; Smithies, John; Steele, Michelle; 
     Strickland, Gregory; Strickland, Jeffrey; Strull, Michael; 
     Sullivan, Robert; Tonanez, Alvaro; Trim, Anthony; Vaughan, 
     Ray; Wasilkowski, Justin; Webb, Brandon; Whu, Danny; 
     Williams, Kenneth; Wood, Hilda; Yetter, Michael.

  As a result of these individuals' inspiring work in Haiti, countless 
lives have been saved and many more have been assisted. Their selfless 
mission and sense of commitment is a testament to our Nation's highest 
principles. As Americans, we cannot thank them enough for the work they 
have done both at home and abroad.

                          ____________________