The Buzz on Technical Rescue: Joe Downey on FDNY Special Operations and USAR Operations
Host Bob Duemmel talks with FDNY Battalion Chief Joseph Downey about the challenges facing Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams when they are deployed. This program was recorded as USAR teams were working at the natural disasters in Japan and New Zealand in recent weeks.
Chief Downey talks about his current assignment as a rescue battalion chief and the benefits it brings to the department's operations. The two discuss the need to continually train and prepare the members of the special operations command, not only for day-to-day emergencies, but for those one in a lifetime events.
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About the Author
Bob Duemmel
Bob Duemmel was the technical rescue editor for Firehouse Magazine and Firehouse.com. A deputy coordinator for Special Operations in Monroe County, NY he recently retired as a captain with the City of Rochester Fire Department. Bob's involvement in technical rescue is very diverse. He is the Plans Manager for New York Task Force-2 USAR Team, a member of the Western New York Incident Management Team and a member of the New York State Technical Rescue curriculum development team. He is a nationally certified instructor with a focus on technical rescue programs. He has delivered training to fire service, industrial, military and international rescue teams and has assisted with exercise evaluation for the United Kingdom and the European Union's USAR program. Bob has also participated in numerous USAR exercised as both a participant and evaluator. He hosted “The Buzz on Technical Rescue” podcast.