Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season whether you are celebrating Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanza, Bodhi Day, Pancha Ganapati, Yule or the Winter Solstice. And may 2026 bring you peace and happiness.

 

Dave Potter, an original member of MI-TF1, has announced his retirement from the Task Force.

Long before disaster response was formally organized in the United States, Dave dedicated his career to strengthening emergency response capabilities—both within the fire service and in large-scale disaster operations. During his tenure with the Pontiac Fire Department, Dave and several colleagues pioneered safer and more effective methods for handling complex and unusual incidents, including special operations.

Dave became widely respected for his expertise in structural collapse response, developing and delivering training programs that he taught around the world. In more recent years, he expanded his focus to swiftwater rescue, becoming a subject-matter expert and responding to numerous major flooding events across the United States.

Dave leaves behind a legacy built on a lifetime of knowledge, experience, and leadership. While he will continue to share his expertise by teaching and preparing the next generation of responders, his steady presence, professionalism, and capabilities will be deeply missed by the Task Force.

 

 

 

• A full operational exercise will occur at Camp Grayling on May 19/20 and May 20/21. As in the past, the first group will go up with TF vehicles, set up, exercise and spend the night. The second group will take the bus up (first group will take the bus back to the Mob Center), exercise, spend the night and pack up to take the vehicles back to the Mob Center. Skills practiced at this year’s MOBEX and during Admin Days will be exercised!
• A new Social Media policy and practice has been announced. The Task Force is working to create a social media presence that will highlight its abilities. Photo Circle files have been created for both 2025 and 2026 so that all TF members can upload photos taken at TF trainings and events.
• When signing the attendance sheet, please be sure to mark ‘yes’ or ‘no’ in the backfill column.
• An invitation only joint operational exercise will be held at Muscatatuck in October – information will be provided as it becomes available.
• MI-TF1 responded to two in-state incidents this year. Rescue, Logistics, and UAS specialists were deployed for nearly two weeks to support response and recovery operations following the devastating Northern Michigan ice storm in April. Later in the year, MI-TF1 deployed Structures, Logistics, and Rescue specialists to assist at the Grand Blanc LDS Church following a mass-casualty incident and fire.
• Connect Rocket Notifications – do not ‘reply’ to the text message; you need to following the link that is included in the text for your response to be recorded.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Connect Rocket
During the monthly test, everyone gets an automated phone call, a text message and an email.  It is important that everyone respond to the notification, but you only have to respond to one of them. It will be recorded regardless of which one you respond to.

When there is a deployment request, connect rocket sends a message to every TF member.  Regardless of your status with the TF, please respond with your availability.  Even if you may not be deploying, you may be requested to help out at the Mob Center.

Are you having trouble accessing the members section of the website?
https://www.mitf1.org/
Contact Joe Chopski at [email protected] for assistance!

If you are on Facebook, be sure to ‘Like” Michigan Mutual Aid Box Alarm System!

Have you joined MI-TF1 private Facebook group yet?  If not, contact Rayanne at [email protected] to be added!

Please be sure all requests for backfill for any TF or Section Training is submitted to [email protected] as soon as is possible.  Thank you!