ARTF-1 Fact Sheet
DESCRIPTION
Arkansas Task Force 1 (AR-TF1) is a team that is highly trained and equipped to search for and rescue victims that are entrapped or entombed in collapsed structures and other heavy entrapment situations, such as trenches, confined spaces, grain bins, mass transportation accidents (buses, aircraft, passenger trains), and high angle incidents. AR-TF1 is a FEMA Type II Task Force.
MISSION
AR-TF1 was developed to provide advanced search and rescue capabilities with the ability to respond statewide, to natural and manmade disasters, bringing specially trained personnel and equipment, in order to save lives.
NOTIFICATION
AR-TF1 can be requested though any County Emergency Manager. The request must be routed through the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM). 501-683-6705
MANAGEMENT
Central Arkansas USAR Program Manager
Andy Traffanstedt
501-340-6911 office
atraffanstedt@pulaskicounty.net
Northwest Arkansas USAR Program Manager
John Luther
479-444-1722 office
CAPABILITIES
Search capabilities - Physical, Urban Wide are Search, Canine, Electronic (search cameras, acoustic and seismic listening devices.)
Rescue capabilities - Structural collapse, trench rescues, confined spaces, high angle, grain bin, mass transportation accidents (bus and rail), heavy extrication, flood, auger, and helicopter.
Stabilization capabilities - Assess and stabilize weakened structures.
Medical capabilities - Advanced life support, specializing in crush syndrome, and confined space medicine.
Support capabilities - Advice and resources to the Incident Commander on incident mitigation, medical treatment, resources, and other response concerns.
OPERATIONS
AR-TF1 consists of 2 regional task forces:
Central Arkansas - based in Little Rock.
Northwest Arkansas - based in Fayetteville.
225 Task Force members make up AR-TF1.
Primary mode of transportation is 5 large emergency response vehicles, and several smaller rescue vehicles and trailers.
The Task Force will respond within 1 to 2 hours of notification and works in 12 hour Operational periods. AR-TF1 operates as a state disaster resource under the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management.
Task Force members will size up the damaged area, stabilize structures, search for victims, extricate victims, and provide Advanced Life Support to the victims.
An advanced team may respond ahead of the main USAR body in order to size up the situation, ensure a Staging Area is established, and to obtain the Incident Commander's objectives. AR-TF1 will work under the Incident Commander and not take control of the scene.
SPECIAL SKILLS
Each Task Force member completes extensive training classes, to include, Structural Collapse Technician, Technical Search Technician, Trench Rescue, Confined Space, High Angle, Grain Ben Rescue, Petrogen cutting torch training, Swiftwater Rescue, Disaster Medical Specialist, Heavy Rigging, Wide Area Search, and many additional specialty courses.
24 Rescue Technicians trained with Arkansas Air National Guard for helicopter hoist operations.
VEHICLES
* USAR 1 - Tractor-trailer Heavy Response Trucks x 2.
* USAR 2 – Wildland/Urban Interface/ Rescue truck.
* USAR 3 Hook Lift Truck with 4-1/2 ton crane, 4'x8' OSHA rated Man Basket.
2 – 22 foot Flat Bed PODS to move ATVs and equipment.
4 – 22 foot Enclosed PODS.
a) Utility POD – stays empty to load deployment supplies.
b) Support POD - Base of Operation equipment (18' x 33' tents, cots, sleeping bags, MRE, bottled water, HVAC, generator).
c) Haz Mat / WMD POD - Absorbent, overpack drums, mass decontamination.
d) Trench POD - trench panels, air shores, carpentry tools, Rescue Vac system.
* USAR 4 – 28” Box truck with lift gate
* 1 Ton Rescue Trucks x 6.
* 15 Passenger Bus.
* 1000 Gallon Diesel Fuel Trailer, with maintenance equipment and supplies.
* 60 KW Caterpillar Diesel Generator.
* Polaris ATV
* John Deere Gator ATV with 85-gallon water tank and pump.
* Tool Cat Utility Work Machine with forklift attachment, bucket attachment, and grappler attachment.
* Argo amphibious ATV, tracked.
EQUIPMENT
Breaching
* Concrete breakers.
* Concrete cutting saws.
* Core drills.
* Petrogen cutting torches.
* Rebar cutter.
* Paratech air chisel.
* Controled impact device
Searching
* Search cameras x 4.
* Acoustic and Seismic Listening Devices x 2.
* GPS.
* Search marking stickers.
Shoring
* Air Shores for stabilizing buildings.
* Timber.
Lifting and Rigging
* Air Lifting Bags up to 74 Tons.
* Rescue Jacks
* Railroad Jacks.
* Heavy Rigging Slings, Shackles, and Chains (to pick up fully loaded 18-wheeler trailer).
Base of Operations
* Self Supported Tent System.
* Climate Controlled for Command, Rehab, and Patient Care.
* Self Supported for 72 hours
* Plotter for mapping
Specialized Equipment
* Railroad Cart.
* Grain Bin Rescue (cofferdams x2 and Rescue Vac system).
* Grip Hoists x3.
* Electrically operated Jaws of Life x 3 sets - Gasoline powered Jaws of Life x 1 set.
* UHF Repeater System with 24 portable radios.
* LED Scene Lighting.
* Line Throwing Gun.
* Thermal Imaging Cameras.
* 4 Multi-gas Detectors x 4.
* Supplied Air Breathing System.
Rope Rescue
* Main Line Rope, Belay Rope, Tag Lines, Mechanical Advantage (4:1) Haul Systems.
* Full Body Harnesses.
* MPD Rigging kits.
* Terradaptor, Tripod, Monopoles x2.
* SKED stretcher, Stokes basket, Spec Rescue Lifting Harness.
Trench Rescue
* Air Shoring Struts.
* Trench Panels.
* Air Knife.
* 185 CFM air compressors.
* Rescue Vac System.
* 400 GPM Trash Pump.
* Rescue Auger.
Water Rescue
* 14 foot Inflatable Zodiac Boats with 30 HP Outboard Motor x 3.
* 14 Foot Aluminum Flat bottom & paddles
* 16 foot Inflatable Zodiac Boat with 40 HP Outboard Motor.
* 17 foot War Eagle Boat with 50 HP Outboard Motor with Side Sonar.
* 16 foot Weldcraft Flat Bottom Rescue Boats with 30 HP Outboard Motor x 2.