The collapse of the Fern Hollow Bridge in Pittsburgh was a pivotal moment that reshaped emergency response efforts in the region. In the wake of the disaster, state officials allocated $6 million to establish the Western Pennsylvania Urban Search and Rescue Team , a unit that had been approved in 2002 but lacked the funding to get off the ground until now.
“No mayor should have to wake up to a bridge collapse and not have the right equipment to save lives,” Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey said.
The newly funded team, which includes over 100 members from across the region, will help ensure quicker response times for emergencies in western Pennsylvania. Previously, the only other such team in the state was based in Philadelphia, which meant longer response times for incidents in Pittsburgh and surrounding areas.
The team’s capabilities include rescue specialists, physicians, engineers, and high-tech medical equipment. Members also utilize precise listening detection devices to locate victims in rubble or collapsed structures. Additionally, the team is working to incorporate K9 units to enhance their rescue efforts.