07/06/2021
Ohio Task Force 1 continues search efforts at the Champlain Towers Collapse site
(Miami, FL)— 0930 hrs. OHTF1 along with four additional FEMA teams and of course multiple local and State of Florida resources continue to work in search functions at the Champlain Towers collapse site.
With the successful implosion of the remaining building, all search efforts have gotten into a much better “rhythm” of work. Thus all teams are heavily engaged in the efforts to locate victims. Success in this area and “rhythm” are very important to the crews working. Planning Team Manager John Kaminski stated “With a good rhythm comes very productive work. All the rescue personnel on-site are driven to complete a task, they thrive on this rhythm for results. Spirits are high as progress moves forward with the search tasks at hand. We are proud of all our personnel.”
Teams are still working a 12-on and 12-off rotation. Rest is a valued commodity after working in the Florida heat. Blowing dust and debris is always a challenge. With the arrival of Elsa, the teams do not expect much of a disruption to work, however, lightning and high wind gusts can cause a suspension in work.
OHTF1 expects to remain on-site, performing search functions for several more days, with no specific return date known at this time.