Recognizing Fl-1 Urban Search and Rescue Task Force

Floor Speech

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Mr. SCOTT of Florida. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the bravery and selfless service of the individuals who responded to the building collapse in Surfside, FL, on June 24, 2021.

I want to thank the FL-1 Urban Search and Rescue Task Force--FL-TF1-- for responding when the Champlain Towers South condo building in Surfside, FL, suddenly collapsed in the middle of the night. They swiftly heeded the call of duty to provide search, rescue, and recovery efforts following the collapse. In the face of tremendous tragedy, they ran into danger. They are heroes.

FL-TF1 is one of 28 Federal search and rescue task forces overseen by FEMA, and its capabilities include search and rescue, emergency care, engineering expertise, and logistics. When they are not being dispatched to countries in crisis, many of them work for Miami-Dade Fire Rescue as local firefighters.

FL-TF1 has responded to some of the world's most notable disasters, including earthquakes, terrorist attacks, and plane crashes, among others. They responded once before in their own community, when Hurricane Andrew hit south Florida in 1992. Their expertise and range of skills has made them invaluable in disasters and well-known internationally. These brave men and women dropped everything to selflessly assist in Surfside, a particular challenge since the tragedy affected their own community, and some had missing friends or loved ones.

FL-TF1 worked nonstop and with heavy hearts following the collapse in Surfside to provide comfort and closure for the families. They worked tirelessly, even when smoke and heat from a fire inside the building's standing portion hampered their efforts. They persisted when the temperatures escalated so much that some needed IVs to replenish fluids. They continued on when Tropical Storm Elsa passed nearby and dumped torrential rain. They left the pile only when they absolutely had to. They braved conditions the likes of which we could never imagine.

I also want to thank FL-TF1 dogs for their hard work to support search, rescue, and recovery efforts. We cannot thank these brave men and women of the FL-TF1 enough. They are heroes who stepped up to serve the community in the wake of an unprecedented and unimaginable disaster. Not only did they help lead the search, rescue, and recovery operation, they also provided endless care and compassion to the families of Surfside and did everything they could to bring closure to those who lost loved ones.

We are incredibly grateful to these heroes and their families for their bravery, self-sacrifice, and determination in the face of this terrible tragedy. Ann and I are praying for the Surfside community, our Jewish community, the families and loved ones of the lost, and all of those who worked tirelessly to serve the Surfside community.

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