Florida Task Force 2 (FL-TF2) Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) team was one of several task forces deployed to the World Trade Center to conduct search, rescue, and recovery operations as part of the FEMA ESF-9 Emergency Support Function following the events of September 11, 2001.
The team was activated in Miami, Florida, at approximately 2245 hours on September 11, 2001, and deployed to New York City by ground transportation. Based at the Javits Center in Manhattan, FL-TF2 personnel conducted continuous 24-hour operations at the World Trade Center site from September 16 through September 26, 2001, when the team was officially demobilized by FEMA and returned to Miami.
Day-to-day operations at the World Trade Center site consisted of close-quarters work within the debris field, operating on an Alpha/Bravo shift cycle around the clock. Due to the long-term exposure to a toxic and hazardous working environment, many 9/11 responders have succumbed to deadly related illnesses. If you responded to this event, please follow the listed steps to ensure every person affected by that day gets the health care and compensation they need and deserve.
What every 9/11 FEMA USAR member should do now:
- Tell other former 9/11 responders about the WTC Health Program and the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund
- Enroll in the World Trade Center Health Program: www.cdc.gov/wtc
- Register with the Victim Compensation Fund: www.vcf.gov
- Secure your evidence of exposure now, even if you are healthy
- Skin cancer, prostate cancer, and breast cancer are the most common 9/11 cancers. Go to a dermatologist for an annual skin exam. Go for an annual prostate exam/mammogram. Early detection can save your life
- Get a Will and Healthcare Proxy, and update your beneficiaries