• Join the Task Force for a Zoom Review of the Dearborn Parking Garage Collapse on March 2 at 1900.
  • Zoom Link:  https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82048494101?pwd=DSbb0n5xRy6Y4scManabTh7CYLuVH8.1
  • Meeting ID: 820 4849 4101
  • Passcode: 288073
• Please go to D4H and check your status – you may have expired or expiring qualifications that need to be completed.
• Sponsored Fire Department members – make sure to submit your annual agency training sign-off. The form can be found at:  https://www.mitf1.org/forms.html
• The Task Force will be offering CDL training this year. If you are interested in getting your CDL endorsement, please contact Shadd Whitehead at [email protected]
• Task Books are available at the MITF1.org website. Be sure to to check for all the positions for which you are rostered

PARKING GARAGE COLLAPSE

On On February 6, a three-story section of a parking garage in Dearborn partially collapsed. A crew from Western Wayne County Urban Search and Rescue, along with firefighters from the Dearborn and Dearborn Heights Fire Departments, responded to the scene.

One person was trapped inside a vehicle in the collapse area. With the assistance of a trained US&R member, crews safely extricated the victim, who was able to walk away from the incident. The cause of the collapse is currently unknown and remains under investigation.

There are a couple news reports available on YouTube that include some interesting details:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rqjwgsd4edA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhOP0hp5cGQ

**Thanks to Justin Winser for the photos**

At approximately 1500 hours on February 18, units from the Ypsilanti Township Fire Department were dispatched to a box alarm for a reported commercial building explosion with partial collapse. Also dispatched on the initial alarm were Ypsilanti City Fire Department, Pittsfield Township Fire Department, and Superior Township Fire Department.

While responding, crews received updated information reporting an active fire, partial structural collapse, multiple injured victims with burns, and a possible gas leak. The incident occurred at EFI, a warehouse and manufacturing facility that produces printing inks.

Upon establishment of Incident Command, a request was made for the Washtenaw County Hazardous Materials Response Team due to the potential chemical hazards associated with the occupancy. Responding Task Force members included Doug Armstrong and Tim Andrews, both Team Leaders for the HazMat Response Team and certified UAS pilots assigned to the team’s UAS (drone) section.

Chief Doug Armstrong of the Dexter Area Fire Department was assigned to deploy UAS operations on scene. Aerial reconnaissance was conducted to support HazMat operations and provide real-time situational awareness to Incident Command, including assessment of structural damage, fire conditions, and potential hazardous materials involvement.

Three victims were transported from the scene with injuries and burns. Significant damage was sustained to the structure; however, no chemical release occurred. A small flash fire, believed to be associated with a gas leak at the facility was quickly extinguished. The incident remains under investigation.

The UAS section of the Washtenaw County HazMat Team was originally developed to support hazardous materials reconnaissance during incident reconnaissance . It has since become a frequently requested resource by fire, law enforcement, and SWAT teams for aerial reconnaissance and overwatch during incidents throughout the county.

**Thanks to Tim Andrews for the photos**

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!