Maryland Task Force 1

05/18/2026

Please see the following link showcasing our members during our most recent Full Scale Exercise

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04/26/2026

*** training exercise***

During our Full Scale Exercise, MDTF1 has encountered multiple search and rescue scenarios . MD-TF1 handled them flawlessly.
We are beyond proud of our team and its members, they are incredible!!

As this exercise has come to a close we recognize we could not have done it without the support of our Sponsoring and Participating Agencies.

Thank you all for the continued support of MD-TF1!!

04/26/2026

**** Training Exercise Alert****

MD-TF1 continues operations in the Ellicott City area as part of our Full-Scale Exercise (FSE). The team has established a base camp and responded to a variety of complex search and rescue scenarios, including a tunnel rescue and a structural collapse. Across each incident, MD-TF1 has demonstrated exceptional skill, coordination, and professionalism, successfully executing multiple high-level operations.

04/25/2026

**** Training Exercise Alert****

MD-TF1 is conducting a Full-Scale Exercise today and tomorrow in Howard County. The exercise encompasses all facets of a real-world US&R deployment. Our type III Task Force mobilized at MD-TF1 headquarters this morning, traveled to the Ellicott City area, will be establishing a working Base Camp, and conducting search and rescue operations at various locations in Howard County through late Sunday morning.

02/05/2026

MD-TF1 sadly announces the passing of FEMA Disaster Live-Find K9 Proctor Berry (retired) .

Partnered with STM Mike Berry, Proctor had boundless enthusiasm  and irrefutable search and alerting skills. 

We mourn his loss and sympathize with the Berry family.

12/13/2025

This weekend, several members of MD-TF1 traveled to Maine to be paired with the newest members of our K9 team. Pictured are:

John Buchanan (FCFR) with new HRD partner K9 Phaya

Steve Breinich (MCFRS) with new LF partner K9 Prada

Caius Kim (MCFRS) with new LF partner K9 Paisley

We wish all three teams the best as they begin training together and work toward certification.

11/26/2025

The MD-TF1 Rescue discipline wrapped up our fourth quarter training with skill-based training, with members rotating through three hands-on stations: Log Cutting, HERS, and cutting/torch work.

Crews reviewed skills in saw operations and maintenance, advanced cutting techniques, rigging fundamentals, weight calculations, crane hand signals, Petrogen torch work, and coordinated overhead lifting using rotators and cranes.

A huge thank-you to Rock Creek Tree-Turf-Landscape for supplying nearly 100 logs, Morton’s Towing for bringing a 95-ton rotator, and DC Fire & EMS Special Operations for additional lifting support. We also appreciate the ongoing help from our Sponsoring and Participating Agencies.

11/11/2025

This past weekend, several MD-TF1 canine search teams traveled to College Station, TX, to complete certification evaluations. A huge congratulations to the following teams on their successful tests:

STM Victoria Ledwell and K9 Pasquale – recertification

CSS Mike O’Neil and K9 Pryor – recertification

CSS Caius Kim and K9 Patric (normally handled by CSS Jaramillo)

These evaluations are required every three years and assess each team’s ability to work together to search an area and locate victims.

10/07/2025

This quarter, MD-TF1’s HazMat and Search components teamed up for a joint training focused on the proper decontamination of both personnel and canines.

A special non-toxic powder was placed throughout a simulated search area, allowing the canines to conduct a realistic search scenario. Following their search, teams performed full decontamination procedures. Using a blacklight, instructors were able to identify areas where contamination remained.

10/06/2025

Over the past few weeks, MD-TF1’s Structural Specialists wrapped up their 3rd Quarter training cycle. This session focused on familiarization with our new Total Station Survey equipment — a precision tool used to monitor structures for any signs of movement or instability during incident operations.