CALIFORNIA URBAN SEARCH AND RESCUE TASK FORCE UPDATE/EAST COAST TERRORISM RESPONSE

From: Governor's Office of Emergency Services

September 14, 2001 1400 p.m.

Note to editors and news directors: Good Afternoon. This is the first update with the latest information

from the Governor's Office of Emergency Services on the California Urban Search and Rescue Teams deployed in New York City. The teams have been assigned to divisions within the New York City Operational Area as part of a coordinated effort to augment the local resources.

The information gathered from each team follows:

OES Task Force #1 - LA City The team was pulled off the rubble pile for a time due to safety concerns. They met with Fire Department of New York (FDNY) Sector Officer to address safety concerns and returned to their assignment. OES Task Force #6 - Riverside The team is working well given the huge debris pile. The rain has made working conditions worse than they were, a 'mucky mess' with no finds. Operations are following normal Standard Operating Procedures. The perimeter has been secured

and personnel must be cleared by NYPD. OES Task Force #7 - Sacramento The team is doing well and working sub grade searching through debris and rubble. The surface search with the dogs is progressing well with the dogs getting excited but no 'hits'. The facilities are limited, but the team is in good spirits. They received their assignment from FDNY.

Total Number of Personnel from California OES: 230

Local Public Information Officers TF-1 L.A. City Steve Ruda (213) 485-6008 TF-6 Riverside Gary Van Der Horst (909) 826-5495 TF-7 Sacramento Pat Ellis (916) 616-2430

For more information contact: OES Emergency News Center - (916) 262-1843

EDIS-09-14-01 1518 PDT

-- PHO (owennos@bigfoot.com), September 14, 2001