Late October, the team pre-positioned itself 24 hours before Sandy hit the Long Island, NY coast, enabling immediate response.

Hurricane Isaac’s slow speed and quickly rising flood waters in Jefferson Parish, LA, made it too late for residents to evacuate. The Team took the hovercraft and joined forces with the fire department to rescue those stranded. Using its generator, the Team powered the MRI unit of the hospital to get the clinic back online, and powered a shelter in the extreme heat conditions to save 50 elderly from a nearby nursing home.

The First Response Team of America utilize their fleet of equipment to restore hope in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.

Still uncertain about the severity of Isaac, the Team deploys with all of its equipment to Florida to prepare for Isaac’s arrival. But the storm changes direction and is headed straight for Louisiana so the Team heads West to Jefferson Parish and arrives just in time despite the powerful winds and heavy rains.

With expert advice from The Weather Channel, the Team drives through the night and heads to Elmira, New York where an EF-1 tornado has knocked down thousands of large trees. The crew uses their highly powered grapple truck to remove trees from the roadways so emergency vehicles can access those in need, and a community can begin to recover.

Tropical Storm Debby brings devastation not seen in Live Oak, FL since 1964. The Team leaves St.Marks knowing many people are stranded from the rising flood waters.  Having trouble themselves, fighting 4-6 feet of flood waters to reach the city, they finally reach the Emergency Operations Center. For 2 days, the team performs water rescues and saves an elderly couple stranded in 8 feet of water.

With Tropical Storm Debby heading up the Gulf of Mexico, the Team heads south. Still unsure where the storm will do the worst damage, the Team stays in close contact with The Weather Channel, and heads to St.Marks, Florida. A city surrounded by 2 rivers combined with rain falling several inches per hour, St. Marks is in danger. The Team is immediately welcomed by the local fire department, and clears trees so rescue trucks can reach the 911 calls and residents can evacuate. The worst is yet to come.

After an early start to devastating tornadoes this year, the Team shifts its focus to intense training for the upcoming hurricane season. Tad Agoglia discusses the dangers of flooding while describing the team’s water rescue equipment for performing water rescues, evacuating residents and making disaster areas safe again.

A year later, we reflect on the EF-5 tornado that destroyed the city of Joplin, MO killing 130 people, destroying 8,000 homes, thousands of businesses, and the hospital, leaving mile after mile of destruction. The Team assisted in search and rescue operations, cleared debris for a helicopter pad in the field hospital, and helped homeowners begin to recover valuables and belongings. The Team then stayed for 3 months clearing home sites, allowing the people of Joplin to feel one step closer to rebuilding.

The First Response Team of America responds to Joplin, Missouri where an F5 tornado receded the town to rubble.