Members of Nebraska Task Force One are considered to be the “best of the best” in their respective fields. With this comes pride, respect, and a specialized knowledge not obtainable in any other arena. Joining Nebraska Task Force One is a commitment to both you and to our national emergency response capability. Below are what we feel to be the top reasons to become a member of this elite team.

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View the recent press release by Governor Pillen: August 7, 2025

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Training

Training requirements are intense. Task Force members must complete hundreds of hours of training, depending on their discipline. Specialties include technical rescue, technical search, hazardous materials, canine search, communications, planning, medical, rescue, structural engineering, and heavy rigging. All disciplines carry their own training requirements.​Training to perform Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) is hazardous and should only be undertaken by competent individuals under the supervision of instructors skilled in the various functional disciplines involved.  FEMA does not certify training delivered outside the direct control of the agency.

Team members who are trained, bring this knowledge back to their local agencies.

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Tools
Nebraska Task Force One’s equipment cache contains over 27,000 pieces of specialized search and rescue equipment. This includes heavy breaching and breaking tools, sensitive search equipment, communications gear, and detection monitors for hazardous materials and weapons of mass destruction. Nowhere else can one get this much hands-on time.

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Networking
NE-TF1 members bring with them the knowledge and experiences of their particular department and specialized field. National training and deployments afford members the opportunity to share their knowledge, experiences, and techniques with other members across the country.

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Experience
Whether it be the attacks of September 11th, the devastation of the Texas Floods, Nebraska Task Force One has been there through the worst. With this comes a level of emergency response experience obtainable no where else. Team members observe first-hand how all of the pieces fit into a national response effort, and are better able to manage and command local emergencies.

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Pride
Our team, and the national US&R system, is truly comprised of the very best response professionals. Being counted among these ranks is not an easy endeavor, but is one that will bring with it the utmost pride and respect.