Several members of New Jersey Task Force 1 (NJ-TF1) have been deployed to flood-ravaged areas of Texas and New Mexico, joining FEMA’s federal response as devastating floods continue to impact communities across both states.

The deployment comes as part of an activation by FEMA’s National Urban Search & Rescue Response System. NJ-TF1 members are taking on critical roles with the Blue Incident Support Team (IST), which provides command, coordination, and planning support during major disaster operations.

Peter Lee, a lieutenant with the Englewood Fire Department, is serving as the IST Situation Unit Leader in Kerr County, Texas, which involves managing incoming data from the field and turning it into actionable information for the planning and operations teams.

Bradley Ladislaw, a firefighter with the Hamilton Fire Department in Mercer County, is operating as the POA (Point of Arrival) Mobilization Center Manager, making him responsible for tracking incoming personnel and equipment and ensuring everything is staged and ready to move when called.

Also in Kerr County is Alice Holmes, a Canine Specialist, along with her search dog Finn, who is trained in human remains detection are conducting targeted searches in flood-damaged areas for unaccounted people.

Daniel Direnzo, a Rescue Squad Officer affiliated with NJ-TF1, is deployed in Ruidoso, New Mexico, as Deputy Planning Section Chief which leaves him with organizing mission strategies and coordinating with local and federal teams responding to flash flooding in the mountainous region.

The NJ-TF1 team is part of a broader national response that includes several FEMA US&R task forces working together across affected zones.

NJ-TF1 is one of 28 federal Urban Search & Rescue teams and operates under the New Jersey State Police Office of Emergency Management. These teams are routinely deployed for major disasters throughout the country.

Team members are expected to remain on deployment as long as their support is needed.