Minnesota Task Force 1

05/25/2026

This past week MN-TF1 completed our Unified Quarterly Training 4 (UQT4) which simulated a Type III Task Force deployment for a tornado response. Members went through our check-in process, received a briefing from our management team, and convoyed to the training location.

The crews had the opportunity to train in a vacant city block in downtown Hastings to simulate search and rescue scenarios in a realistic environment.

The management team ran the operations remotely at our Point of Departure (POD) using the Search and Rescue Common Operating Platform (SARCOP) which is a federal Urban Search and Rescue software that allows incident command to receive real-time updates on team locations, search and rescue progress, building damage assessments, and victim information.

Thank you to City of Hastings for providing us this unique training location!

05/03/2026

Congrats to Chief Sweeney, who is also one of our Plans Team Managers!

Congratulations to Spencer Sweeney on his promotion to Battalion Chief. Spencer will be transitioning from his previous role as Captain of Truck 42 to his new position as Battalion Chief, operating out of Fire Station 2.

04/30/2026

Today our Heavy Equipment Rigging Specialists (HERS) had their annual training in Minneapolis. Huge thank you to Twin Cities Transport & Recovery for coming out and showing off their heavy rotator truck! While our US&R operations usually involve working with cranes, it was great to learn about the capabilities, flexibility and versatility of a heavy rotator.

04/24/2026

Welcome to our online fundraising auction. 📣Each item up for bid has been generously donated by our supporters, partners, and sponsors, with all proceeds directly benefiting MNK9SS. Spread the word, rally your friends and family, and together, let's make this auction a success! 🚀Physical items...

04/06/2026

Welcome to the team!

03/30/2026

Huge thank you to Shad Heffernan and Boehringer Ingelheim!

Their generous donation of a full year of heartworm and flea/tick preventatives for all 13 of our MNK9SS canines directly supports the health and readiness of our canine partners!

We’re also incredibly grateful to Denise Kuester, CVT, and Taylor Aubrey, DVM, at New Ulm Regional Veterinary Center for helping coordinate this effort!

Your support makes a big difference for our team and the dogs we depend on every day. Thank you so, so much from all of us at MNK9SS! 🐾

03/20/2026

Today MN-TF1 wrapped up our Unified Quarterly Training 3 (UQT3). This was a skills-based training for each specialty to work on specialty specific topics. Rescue worked on measuring and cutting angles on raker shores and slope floor shores, as well as did some lifting/moving review. Search trained on CalTopo, a mapping software we use to assist us in missing persons searches. Plans, Comms, Structural Engineers reviewed their equipment and worked on specialty specific skills. Last, Logistics performed maintenance on equipment and learned about troubleshooting electrical issues from or Logistics Coordinator (who is also an electrician).

02/19/2026

MFD with another technical rescue. Great job!

02/18/2026

Today MN-TF1 Managers, as well as a manager from MN-TF2, gathered for a daylong Task Force Manager Training. Our managers received general team updates, training on deployment roles/responsibilities, and team training expectations.

Next managers split into groups and trained in breakout sessions focusing on Point of Departure (POD) procedures, Base of Operations (BoO) setup/expectations, and the MN-TF1 Concept of Operations (ConOps).

Minnesota Department of Public Safety
Minnesota State Fire Marshal
Minnesota Task Force 2

02/16/2026

Today, MNK9SS had the honor of returning to the University of Minnesota Twin Cities for another hands on demonstration with students within the Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology!

Our Canine Coordinator, Katelyn Aubrey, alongside Handler Andrew Pennock and HR K9 Coby, shared the science, training, and operational realities behind Human Remains Detection (HRD) canines.

Students explored how scent works, how HRD dogs are trained, and they got to see K9 Coby demonstrate his skills firsthand!

Being invited back is an incredible honor! We’re deeply grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with future professionals in science, medicine, and public safety. Thank you for having us. 💚🐾