Kentucky lawmakers are being asked to establish a statewide urban search and rescue program. The measure currently awaits action by the full House. Testifying in committee was Lexington Fire Captain Ryan Hogsten. Hogsten said members of this team would work to stabilize areas hit by a disaster.
“We go in there and shore those buildings up so we can affect rescue. So the building doesn’t fall any further. So, we can go and shore those structures up and then go in and do the rescue efforts to remove people from the building,” said Hogsten
Hogsten noted setting up the urban search and rescue program carries a $26 million cost. The Lexington fire official added he envisions some 600 people across the state participating on the team.
Hogsten said crew members would be involved in much of the same work as seen in Turkey and Syria following tragic earthquake damage.
“Those are the same type of work that we would do here that they’re doing in Turkey right now with those massive amounts of collapsed buildings. We would do the same thing in the Commonwealth. Those same skills, those same technicians, those same techniques,” said Hogsten.
Hogsten said the initial interest to form such a statewide program came following the 2012 tornado in West Liberty.
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