Urban Search and Rescue Arizona Task Force 1

Urban Search and Rescue Arizona Task Force 1 or AZ-TF1 is a FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Task Force based in Phoenix, Arizona. AZ-TF1 is sponsored by the Phoenix Fire Department.

AZ-TF1 is one of six Task Forces that is Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) certified having received extensive training in responding to incidents involving chemical, biological or radiological agents.

AZ-TF1 is the only Task Force allowed to be accompanied by armed police officers. The Task Force was suspended during Hurricane Katrina relief efforts and sent home because of a violation of rules allowing a Task Force to carry firearms. Upon review, it was determined that all of the Phoenix Police Department has been cross-certified as United States Marshals. In addition, a FEMA Division Supervisor authoried the Task Force to bring the Marshals with them to provide protection from armed looters, persons wearing stolen police uniforms and alligators. FEMA lifted the suspension and currently allows the armed Phoenix officers to accompany the Task Force to provide protection as long as the officers wear a U.S. Marhals' uniform. The policy is under review for possible exapnsion to the other FEMA Task Forces.

Deployments

 * Northridge earthquake, Los Angeles County, California
 * Oklahoma City bombing, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma - The first Task Force to arrive on April 19 1995. Deactivated on April 24.
 * September 11, 2001 attacks - Deployed to World Trade Center, New York City, New York
 * 2002 Winter Olympics, Salt Lake City, Utah - Deployed to a military base on standby in the event of a disaster or attack.
 * Debris recovery of Space Shuttle Columbia disaster - February 2003.
 * Hurricane Katrina - Deployed to Louisiana but were suspended and released early for firearms violations.