Contact: Donna Bigler, 240-777-6530
Or Pete Piringer, 240-777-2474
For Release: June 12, 2002

County Honors Contributors to
USAR Team Following
September 11 Attack on America

Individuals and business representatives who contributed time and resources to Montgomery County's Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Team following the September 11 attack on America were honored this evening at a ceremony in Rockville. The contributors included individuals and families, Brownie troops, booster clubs, church, veteran and school groups, as well as representatives of non-profit associations and large businesses.

More than 200 donors were honored at the recognition event for helping to enhance the County's emergency response effort by supporting the highly skilled urban search and rescue team that assisted with recovery efforts at the Pentagon following the terrorist attack. The public donations were used to supplement the team's inventory of equipment and to enhance their capability by providing depth in their responsiveness. Purchases included a wide array of equipment involving computers, a radio base station, listening devices, large trucks, forklifts, hydraulic lifts, thermal imaging cameras, breathing apparatus, defibrillators, air bags, hydraulic extrication equipment, an assortment of drills, saws and cutters, protective clothing and assorted hand tools and emergency rescue gear.

"We are extremely proud of - and grateful to - our partners in public safety for reaching out to the community during some of America's darkest hours," said Duncan. "These individuals and groups made a difference by enhancing our emergency preparedeness and response capabilities."

Certificates of appreciation and special acknowledgements were awarded to contributors during the ceremony, and County officials and USAR members expressed their appreciation for the public support. A display of the new equipment purchased for the USAR team was provided so that contributors could see the results of their efforts.

"Our team of search and rescue experts here in Montgomery County has earned a national reputation as being among the best," said Fire Administrator Gordon Aoyagi. "We are fortunate to have this level of expertise in the community, and to have our fire and rescue services supported actively by a caring and involved citizenry. Our rescue team is now better equipped than ever to deal with emergencies and to rapidly protect the public when harm befalls them."