Massachusetts Task Force in the News
Urban Search and Rescue Medical Specialist
4/8/2025
During the week of March 24 thru 28, 2025, eight Cambridge Firefighter EMT/Paramedics, along with public safety responders from Boston metro area agencies, participated in the Urban Search and Rescue Medical Specialist program sponsored by USAR Massachusetts Task Force 1 at the Beverly facility. This class is in conujunction wirh FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and MEMA (Massachuseets Emergency Management Agency).
Following classroom work, members participated in several very intense, hands-on urban search & rescue scenarios following a simulated major MCI (mass casualty incident) event.
USAR community mourns the passing of Mass. task force founder
11/4/2024
The Urban Search and Rescue community mourned Mark Foster, the founder of Massachusetts Task Force 1, who passed away at age 74. Foster established the FEMA unit in 1990, transforming it over 30 years into an elite team of 250 specialists. Under his leadership, the group was among the first to arrive at Ground Zero after the 9/11 attacks—a mission Foster later documented in his book. A pioneering leader who retired just last year, Foster left a lasting legacy of service and a permanent World Trade Center memorial at the team’s headquarters.
FEMA search and rescue operations still underway in North Carolina after Helene
10/1/2024
Following the devastation of Hurricane Helene, FEMA’s Massachusetts Task Force 1 led search and rescue operations in Jackson and Haywood counties to locate stranded people and animals. This effort was part of a broader response involving at least 27 teams from across the country, including units from Colorado and New Hampshire. These specialized teams worked tirelessly throughout western North Carolina to provide critical aid and ensure the safety of residents in the wake of the storm.
Massachusetts Task Force 1 members ready to deploy for Hurricane Milton relief effort
10/10/2024
In October 2024, Massachusetts Task Force 1 prepared to deploy to Florida as the state braced for Hurricane Milton. While much of the team was already assisting with Hurricane Helene recovery in North Carolina, additional specialists remained on standby in New England to provide search and rescue, medical, and logistical support. These volunteers, including firefighters and engineers, awaited official orders to assist with the back-to-back disasters. The mission underscored the unit’s vital role in national emergency response and their commitment to life-saving aid during catastrophic weather.
Beverly-Based Task Force 1 Works Search-And-Rescue In NC
10/3/2024
Massachusetts Task Force 1 deployed 45 members to North Carolina to assist victims in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Throughout the week, the volunteer team conducted intensive search-and-rescue missions in rural areas, where they navigated flooded terrain and cleared debris to locate survivors. Supported by search dogs, the task force rescued residents and their pets while also working to preserve property and belongings damaged by the historic storm. The mission highlighted the critical role of the unit in providing aid and disaster relief during a catastrophe that claimed hundreds of lives across the region.
Massachusetts rescue and utility crews head south to help in Hurricane Helene aftermath
9/29/2024
In response to the widespread destruction caused by Hurricane Helene, Massachusetts Task Force 1 deployed dozens of specialists and heavy equipment to Florida and North Carolina to perform critical water rescues and building searches. Additionally, Eversource utility crews and Red Cross volunteers from the region traveled south to restore power and provide essential resources to displaced families.
Massachusetts FEMA task force deploys for possible search and rescue operations ahead of Hurricane Helene
9/26/2024
In anticipation of Hurricane Helene’s arrival, forty-five members of Massachusetts Task Force 1 departed from Beverly to set up emergency operations in North Carolina. The specialized team prepared to address catastrophic flash flooding and potential landslides by hauling essential supplies and rescue equipment to the region ahead of the storm's landfall.
Massachusetts Task Force 1 conducts river searches as they continue Helene assistance
10/14/2024
Massachusetts Task Force 1 continued its relief efforts in North Carolina by conducting extensive river and land searches in Madison County. Working alongside FEMA K9 Strike Teams and local swift water specialists, the unit focused on locating victims in areas devastated by the storm’s historic flooding.
Massachusetts Task Force 1 continues work after Helene, deploys members ahead of Milton
10/7/2024
Massachusetts Task Force 1 expanded its mission by deploying additional personnel to Florida to assist with the anticipated impact of Hurricane Milton while dozens of its members remained in North Carolina. Already on the ground for more than a week following Hurricane Helene, the team transitioned between clearing debris in the Carolinas and preparing for new search-and-rescue operations in Florida's Gulf Coast. The deployment underscored the unit's sustained commitment to disaster relief as they managed the back-to-back challenges of two catastrophic storms.
Massachusetts Task Force 1 deploys to North Carolina
10/2/2024
The Urban Search and Rescue community is mourning Mark Foster, the founder of Massachusetts Task Force 1, who passed away at 74. Foster established the FEMA unit in 1990, transforming it over 30 years into an elite team of 250 specialists. Under his leadership, the group was among the first to arrive at Ground Zero after the 9/11 attacks—a mission Foster later documented in his book. A pioneering leader who retired just last year, Foster leaves a lasting legacy of service and a permanent World Trade Center memorial at the team’s headquarters.
Massachusetts Task Force 1 members helping with hurricane relief
10/10/2024
Members of Massachusetts Task Force 1 coordinated search-and-rescue operations on both land and water as they responded to the back-to-back devastation of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. By pre-staging equipment and personnel, the unit quickly reallocated assets to Florida to navigate hazardous floodwaters and rescue those trapped by the catastrophic weather.
FEMA team from Massachusetts in flooded Vermont for search and rescue ops
In July 2023, Massachusetts Task Force 1 deployed to Vermont to assist with emergency search-and-rescue operations following historic and catastrophic flooding across the state. The specialized team utilized boats and high-water vehicles to reach stranded residents and conduct wellness checks in communities cut off by rising waters. This mission showcased the unit’s vital role in regional disaster response as they worked alongside local agencies to navigate the life-threatening conditions.
7/11/2023
Massachusetts based FEMA team heads to Vermont to help as state faces possible catastrophic flooding
7/10/2023
Massachusetts Task Force 1 deployed to Vermont with boats, rescue dogs, and specialized personnel to assist communities facing potentially catastrophic flooding after heavy rain washed out roads and forced evacuations. Vermont’s governor declared a state of emergency as crews conducted rescues and prepared for additional rainfall and flooding across the state.
Mass. Task Force 1 sending search and rescue team to Louisiana for Hurricane Ida
8/29/2021
The Massachusetts Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue Team is sending an 80-member team to Louisiana to help residents affected by Hurricane Ida.
The Beverly-based team will be departing on Sunday afternoon, it said in a tweet.
Mass. Task Force 1 to Help With Relief Efforts in La.
8/29/2021
A total of 80 volunteers — including firefighters, police, medics and dog handlers from across New England — were called by FEMA to help Louisiana with rescue and recovery efforts as the powerful storm moved in.
20 Years Later: Mass. Task Force remembers deployment to Ground Zero
9/9/2021
When disaster strikes -- the Massachusetts Task Force is ready to respond.
They are one of 28 federal tasks forces across the country that are made up of volunteers and are called into action to help local agencies in times of crisis.
Twenty years ago, Mass Task Force 1 was called up for their first real search and rescue deployment.
Urban Search and Rescue Medical Specialist
10/8/2021
Dr. Ron Rosen, a geriatric physician at Salem Hospital and member of Massachusetts Task Force 1, returned from a 10-day deployment in Louisiana where he helped provide medical care, assess building safety, and deliver supplies to residents affected by Hurricane Ida. The team worked in difficult conditions—including flooding, power outages, and COVID-19 precautions—to support displaced residents and overwhelmed hospitals.
For Massachusetts Task Force 1, memories, images of Sept. 11 clear as yesterday
9/10/2021
Members of Massachusetts Task Force 1 reflect on their experiences responding to the 9/11 attacks, recalling the devastation they encountered while searching the World Trade Center rubble for survivors over eight days. The team now preserves artifacts and runs a memorial and museum at their Beverly headquarters to honor the victims and ensure future generations remember what happened.
Light urban search and rescue technicians train in Massachusetts
12/10/2018
Canadian Armed Forces Light Urban Search and Rescue (LUSAR) technicians train in Massachusetts alongside Massachusetts Task Force 1 during Exercise Vigilant Guard, a disaster-response exercise simulating a dam failure and widespread destruction. The teams conduct wide-area searches, rescue trapped victims with the help of search dogs and helicopters, and practice coordinating with U.S. military and emergency agencies.
Helping with Harvey: Local search and rescue task force deployed to Houston
8/29/2017
Massachusetts Task Force 1 deploys members and specialized water-rescue equipment to Texas to assist communities devastated by Hurricane Harvey’s severe flooding. The volunteers work alongside local and federal responders to search flooded neighborhoods, rescue stranded residents, and support ongoing disaster-response efforts.