NC Strike Force 1
NC USAR Task Forces
NC Canine Emergency Response Team

Research Notes

See source clippings and more in Google Drive folder.

Last updated: Oct 4, 2021

Change log:

• Oct 3, 2021 - Content separated from longer page, and integrated into new site/URL about all Forsyth County rescue history.
• May 17, 2017 - Added, revised information about NCCERT, and other bits of information here and there. And expansion of Southeast Winston and Winston-Salem squad history.
• May 13, 2017 - Added connection with and information about the NC Canine Emergency Response Team.
• May 8, 2017 - Added "short version" to top of page. Corrected some typos.

Contents

• Introduction
• Short Version
• North Carolina Strike Force 1
• Short History of North Carolina USAR Task Forces
• List of Original Task Forces
• North Carolina Canine Emergency Response Team  

Introduction

Heard of North Carolina Strike Force 1?

They were the state's first Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team, and they started in the late 1990s. They were conceived as regional technical rescue team that was based in Forsyth and Davidson counties. They were incorporated as a non-profit organization in 2000, and renamed from "Strike Force" to "Task Force" in May 2000. Two years later, they shortened their name to NCTF-1.

But wait, Batman, the state-sponsored USAR task forces weren't created until 2003. What's the story here? Thanks to some readers and a recent discussion on social media, here's a history of the organization, as well as one of their founding agencies, the now-defunct Forsyth Rescue Squad. 

Short Version

• 1959 - Forsyth Rescue Squad (FRS) chartered. 
• 1962 - FRS incorporated. 
• 1969 - FRS adds first technical rescue truck.
• 1989 - National USAR response system created, using city- and county-based teams.
• 1995 - After Oklahoma City bombing, states begin developing USAR teams.
• 1998 - North Carolina Strike Force 1 (NCSF1) created as regional technical response team, as joint venture between FRS and Thomasville Rescue Squad.
• 1999 - North Carolina Canine Emergency Response Team (NCCERT), as a statewide search and rescue resource, and a participating agency in NCSF1 with a home base at FRS.
• 1999 - First deployment of NCSF1.
• 2000c - NCSF1 adds Troutman Fire-Rescue.
• 2000 - NCSF1 incorporated.
• 2000 - NCCERT incorporated.
• 2001 - NCSF1 renamed North Carolina Task Force 1 (NCTF1).
• 2001 - After events of September 11, federal monies made available through NC EM, to develop statewide USAR program.
• 2002 - State implements progressive plan to establish regional USAR teams.
• 2002 - NCTF1 renamed "NCTF1", abbreviated.
• 2003 - State identifies eleven regional USAR teams
• 2003 - NCTF1 begins operating as a state team named North Carolina USAR Task Force 4.
• 2003 - FRS disbands. Most of their vehicles and equipment disposed to NCCERT.
• 2004 - NCCERT relocates home base to Apex, NC, and partners with Apex FD.
• 2004 - Task Force 4 adds Apex FD.
• 2006 - Task Force 4 adds Morrisville FD.
• 2013 - State streamlines USAR teams, dissolves four teams.
• 2013 - Task Force 4 dissolved.

Note: This "short version" was created for a blog posting about this page, posted on May 8, 2017.

North Carolina Strike Force 1

Photo courtesy of Jeff Hinshaw

Late 1990s - First USAR Team in North Carolina

1998 - North Carolina Strike Force 1 is organized in the latter part of 1998. The initial services they provide are trench, collapse, and technical rescue, through their first two member agencies: Forsyth Rescue Squad and Thomasville Rescue Squad.

•  It was conceived as a regional technical rescue team, as a joint venture between the Thomasville and Forsyth squads.
• The agencies already worked together on trench rescue, and their idea was to expand their joint technical rescue capabilities.
• In fact, Forsyth Rescue Squad had two of the original trench rescue units in the northwestern part of the state. The other was Yadkin County Rescue Squad.

1999, July - First canine training conducted, which added a canine search and rescue (SAR) function to the team.

• Daniel "Mac" Morgan, a retired law officer and veteran K9 SAR specialist, was contacted by Thad Brison, the SAR Coordinator for the state. He was told about the strike force that had formed, and their need for a canine SAR function.
• Morgan had been involved in SAR since 1993, and formed Carolina Canine Search and Rescue, which was renamed Wake Canine Search and Rescue in 1996. He served as President and Director of Training.
• The July training was conducted by Morgan and David Inman, of NC Search and Rescue Dog Association.
• In August or September, they began organizing the North Carolina Canine Emergency Response Team (NCCERT), as a separate organization that was part of NCSF1. See later section.

1999, September - First deployment of NCSF1, to Hurricane Floyd, via the state EM.

• Forsyth Rescue members went to Wilson, and Thomasville Rescue members went to the Princeville area. Some (all?) members were deployed for ten days.
• Over their years, NCSF1 responded to several regional events, including the tornadoes in Stoneville (1998), Hurricane Floyd as noted, and trench rescue incidents in Forsyth, Davidson, and Iredell counties.

1999 - After the devastating impact of Hurricane Floyd, North Carolina Emergency Management (NC EM) begins developing regional USAR teams, to address gaps in capabilities of local responders (and federal teams, which are too far away to be effective resources).

• The program is funded mostly through federal grants, and sustained through contributions from local sponsoring agencies.
• Though the federal government also has an established USAR program, none of the teams are located in North Carolina, and prior disasters had proven that those teams were unable to respond in a timeline manner, to meet the needs of a state USAR resource.
• Though loosely based on the federal system, the NC USAR program focuses more on a regional concept, much like the regional haz-mat teams.
• NC USAR capability is focused around "modular resource packaging" that can support a wide array of disasters, from collapsed buildings to flood response, and with communications and logistics support.

2000-2002 - Incorporation, New Names, New Members

Circa 2000 - NCSF-1 expands to include Troutman Fire-Rescue.

• The task force members (and assets) were drawn from Forsyth, Thomasville, and Troutman, as well as some other central-piedmont fire and rescue agencies.
• The team later included Alexander Rescue Squad (Alexander County, Incorporated 1959) and Claremont Rescue Squad (Catawba County, incorporated 1958), for their collapse/cave-in assets. [Legeros: Need to verify this.]

2000, May - North Carolina Strike Force One, Incorporated as non-profit charitable corporation. The purposes of the organization are: 

• Organized to manage, train and render aid and assistance in emergency and disaster situations, man-made or natural as a rapid response Urban Search and Rescue Unit to persons in North Carolina and other regions requesting mutual aid on a non-profit basis whose life and property is in eminent danger, and
• To acquire and own rescue and emergency medical service apparatus for use by the corporation in the protection of persons from injury or loss of life; to own and acquire land and to construct buildings for use by the corporation in connection with the house of rescue and emergency medical service apparatus and providing a place of meeting for the members of the corporation; to sponsor and hold rescue schools and emergency medical service training; to engage in any and all types of activities not prohibited by law that shall be for the betterment of the communities, counties, and state.

The initial board of directors are:

• Scottie Emerson
• Scott McCaskill
• Michael Drummond
• Robert Moser
• Kelly Emerson
• Douglas Lowe
• Tom Billig
• Mark Hinson
• Gerald E. Clodfelter
• Roy L. Alson, M.D.

Other notes:

• The directors were listed with registered addresses as Clemmons, Statesville, Thomasville, Troutman, and Winston-Salem.
• The principal address was 1499 Old Salisbury Road, Winston-Salem. The document was filed on May 12, 2000.
• The organization was the first recognized USAR team in the state.
• By 2000, NCSF1 had about sixty members.

2000, June - Snapshot:

• Board discusses meeting with Governor Hunt's staff, and the flow of resources during a disaster, EM and OSFM resources that would include NCSF-1 resources. The NCSF-1 Coordinator to meet with representatives from NC EM and OSFM.
• Board outlines the NCSF-1 response protocol. Assessment team sent first, with one-hour time frame. Equipment sent second, with two-hour time frame.
• Board discussed logistic support in the field, which agencies could support NCTF-1, such as EM, DOT, DOD, etc. Also if the NC Paramedic Association would be available for medical concerns/support?
• Board discussed interest from groups in Gaston County, Enka-Chandler, Hickory, and White Lake.
• Board discussed a patch design.
• Source: Minutes of Board Meeting, July 18, 2000.

2000, November - Snapshot:

• Board approves suggested name change, from North Carolina Strike Force One to North Carolina Task Force One. The change is recommended as the group operates as a task force, more than as a strike force.
• Board agrees that four quarterly team training meetings/events will remain the schedule for 2001, with a requirement that members attend at least three of the four.
• Board addresses NCSF-1 getting accepted across the state, and that NCSF-1 isn't yet designated (by the state?) as a USAR resource. One member notes that it may take seven to ten years, for the organization to be "fully operational [and] accepted."
• Troutman Fire-Rescue members have joined the task force, and are referenced as a "team."
• Source: Minutes of Board Meeting, November 3, 2000.

2000, December - Equipment carried on USAR 1 includes:

• Safety/Marking - Traffic vests, wands, cones; fire extinguishers, medical/trauma bag, bottled water; goggles, ear plugs, chaps; maps and resource books; etc.
• Cleaning/Maintenance - Oil, silicone spray, lubricants, rags, brushes, brooms, duct tape, electrical tape, etc.
• Hand Tools - Shovels, rakes, hammers, chisels, wrecking bars, tarps, tripods, ladders, rope, nails, chains, etc.
• Hydraulic Tools - Breakers, hammers, drill, saw, pump, hose, etc.
• Pneumatic Tools - Hammer, jackhammer, airbags, hose, couplings, etc.
• Electric Tools - Saws, blades, fans, lights, cords, etc.
• Gas Tools - Chain saw, compressor, generator, water pump, etc.
• Shoring Materials - Metal shores and swivels; wooden beams, wedges, and cribbing; clamps, plates, panels, etc.

Read this PDF document (2.4M) from December 2000, with the full list of equipment carried.

2000, December - Snapshot:

• Officers:
  • Gerald Clodfelter, President
  • Scottie Emerson, Vice President
  • Kelly Emerson, Secretary
  • Richard Washabaugh, Treasurer.
• Staff positions include
  • Mike Drummond, CEO/Chief
  • Mark Hinson, COO/Assistant Chief.
• Note: The positions were previously named Coordinator and Assistant Coordinator.
   
• Annual meeting is held in November.
• Board meetings are held on the third Wednesday of every other month.
• Member applications received and approved from White Lake Water Rescue, Bladen County Rescue Squad, and Lumberton Rescue Squad.
   
• Training dates for 2001: 
  • February 3-4 - ISAR
  • June 1-3 - Annual drill
  • August 25-26 - Quarterly training
  
   
• Source: Board Meeting Minutes, December 15, 2000.

2001 - The organization is renamed North Carolina Task Force One, Incorporated.

• The corporation name change is filed May 17, 2001.
• As the team functioned more like a task force, they changed their legal name accordingly.
• Their legal name contained "North Carolina Task Force" and thus precluded the state from using those four words, in their task force titles. Thus the state teams were called "North Carolina USAR Task Force."

2001, November - Snapshot:

• Board meeting reports that the state is proposing to use three USAR teams: West, Central, and East. It is dependent on state funding. Equipment given to agencies or host teams will rest in paid departments.
• Organization has MOAs with ham operators and Civil Air Patrol, and is working on one with Forest Service.
• Organization has $2,700 in bank account.

2001-2002, circa - Two search and rescue teams join Task Force One:

• Brunswick Search and Rescue (Brunswick County, incorporated February 2000)
• Down East Search and Rescue (Beaufort County, incorporated September 1993).

2002 - The organization is renamed NCTF-1, Incorporated.

• The name change is effective November 25, 2002.
• Also effective November 24, 2002, the business office of NCTF-1 was changed to Troutman Fire-Rescue.

2003 - State System Established, Another New Name, Forsyth Rescue Closes

2003 - By this time, NCTF-1 was operating as a state-sponsored USAR team. Their organization name wasn't changed, but they operated in the state system as NC USAR Task Force 4.

• In 2002, NCEM implemented their plan to establish regional USAR teams across the state.
• In 2003, they identified eleven regional teams, with various size teams and locations.

2003, circa - Thomasville Rescue Squad withdraws from NCTF-1, and forms their own state-recognized USAR task force.

2003 - Forsyth Rescue Squad disbands.

• In July 2003, the rescue squad ceased operation. In August 2003, articles of discussion were filed by the corporation.
• The squad's building and assets were transferred to NCCERT, which continued to operate the technical rescue assets as part of Task Force 4.
• A number of former squad members continued their participation Task Force 4, to provide personnel for technical rescue services. But they ceased participation within a short period time.
• Five members of NCCERT began attending attending technical rescue classes, as well, and expanding their skills to perform as rescue technicians.
• NCCERT, their equipment, and the former Forsyth Rescue Squad assets continued to use the rescue squad building until January 2004.

2004-2013 - New Members, Task Force Disbanded

2004 - NCCERT relocates to Apex, N.C. See next section.

2004 - Apex Fire Department joins Task Force 4. See next section.

2004 - Task Force 4 membership consisted of:

• Apex FD and NCCERT - Equipment.
• Troutmant FD - Equipment, business office.
• Sherrills Ford FD
• White Lake Water Rescue

2006 - Morrisville Fire Department joins Task Force 4.

2013 - Task Force 4 dissolved, along with three other teams, after NCEM streamlines the number of USAR regional teams needed to serve the state. 

• Dissolved are: TF1 (western NC), TF4 (central NC), TF5 (Thomasville), and TF7 (Ash-Rand).
• Some of those USAR assets and capabilities are retained by the member agencies.
• Apex FD, for example, remains a state-recognized swift water rescue resource. 

Short History of North Carolina USAR Task Forces

1989 - FEMA creates the National Urban Search and Rescue Response system, after recognizing the value of a network of such USAR teams as were created in the early 1980s—by fire departments to deal with rescue operations in collapsed buildings—in Fairfax County, VA, and Metro-Dade County, in FL. Three years later, the concept was incorporated into the Federal Response Plan, first published that year. FEMA sponsored 25 national USAR task forces.

1995 - Shortly after Oklahoma City bombing, some states being building USAR capabilities, as well. Many of the state programs, like the later North Carolina teams, are developed through local Emergency Management agencies.

2001 - After the events of September 11, 2001, federal money was made available through North Carolina Emergency Management to develop a statewide USAR program to respond and assist impacted communities when local resources were taxed beyond their capabilities.

2002 - NCEM implements progressive plan to establish regional USAR teams across the state. The Task Forces are focused around a modular resource package that supports a wide array of disasters, from collapsed buildings, to flood response, to communications and logistical support.

2003 - Eleven regional USAR teams are identified, with various size teams and geographic locations. In the Raleigh-Durham area, Task Force 8 becomes operational in September 2003.[1]

2013 - NCEM streamlines the number of USAR regional teams needed to serve the state. Four teams are dissolved:

• TF1 (western NC)
• TF4 (central NC)
• TF5 (Thomasville)
• TF7 (Ash-Rand)

[1] The story of NC USAR Task Force 8:

• Initially comprised of members and equipment from Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and Cary fire departments. Became operational in September 2003.
• Two tractor-drawn USAR units were placed in service at the Raleigh Fire Department training center: USAR 1, a 1979 International tractor pulling a 1974 Hackney converted beverage trailer, and USAR 2, a 2002 Volvo/Great Dane transfer truck.
• Earlier in the decade, the Raleigh Fire Department had identified the need for a Type I USAR team capable of continuous technical rescue operations at man-made and natural disasters for extended periods and without the need for outside resources. They conceived of a task force with the four fire departments.
   
• After the events of September 11, 2001, and the availability of federal money through NC EM, the Raleigh Fire Department received $100,000, which set into motion the development of Task Force 8.
• In May 2002, Raleigh firefighters attended a structural collapse exercise in Asheville. In August of that year, thirty-six firefighters from the four departments attended a Structural Collapse Technician (SCT) school in Charlotte.
• In April 2003, Task Force 8 completed construction of a USAR training facility at the RFD training center. Also that year, Atlas Engineering joined Task Force 8, to provide engineers, heavy equipment, and operators as needed for training and deployments.
   
• In September 2003, almost immediately after becoming operational, Task Force 8 was pre-deployed to the RFD training center for Hurricane Isabel. Twelve task force members staffed USAR 1 and USAR 2 for deployment to eastern North Carolina if needed.
• Subsequent missions included September 2004, to Macon County to assist with Hurricane Ivan damage; December 2005, to Harrison County, MI, to assist with Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts; September 2007 to Clayton, for an aircraft into a building; June 2009 to Garner, for a building explosion and fire; and April 2011 to Raleigh, for tornado damage.
   
• On January 1, 2007, Wake County EMS joined Task Force 8, to provide medical specialists for training and deployment.
• On August 1, 2007, thirty haz-mat technicians were added from the Raleigh Fire Department, to complete the NIMS criteria for a Type I USAR team.
• In November 2009, the State Highway Patrol joined Task Force 8 to provide helicopter rescue support, and began training with task force members as a helicopter rescue team. 

Right: NCTF8 fleet in April 2011. Courtesy NCTF8.

List of Original Task Forces

Here's a snapshot of the state teams, and their original classifications, before they were reduced in 2013:

• Task Force 1 - Type IV
  Swain County Emergency Management
  Macon County
  Graham County
  Cherokee County
  Clay County
  Haywood County
  Jackson County
  Transylvania County
   
• Task Force 2 - Type IV (now Type II)
  [ still active ]
  Buncombe County Emergency Management
   
• Task Force 3 - Type I
  [ still active ]
  Charlotte Fire Department
   
• Task Force 4 - Type III
  Troutman Fire Department
  Apex Fire Department
  Morrisville Fire Department
   
• Task Force 5 - Type III
  Thomasville Rescue Squad
   
• Task Force 6 - Type II
  [ still active ]
  Greensboro Fire Department
   
• Task Force 7 - Type IV
  Ash-Rand Rescue Squad and EMS
   
• Task Force 8 - Type I
  [ still active ]
  Raleigh Fire Department
  Cary Fire Department (no longer member)
  Chapel Hill Fire Department
  Durham Fire Department
  Wake County EMS
   
• Task Force 9 - Type III (now Type II)
  [ still active ]
  Lumberton Rescue Squad
  Fayetteville Fire Department
  Cumberland County EMS
  Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office
   
• Task Force 10 - Type II
  [ still active ]
  Greenville Fire Rescue
   
• Task Force 11 - Type III (now Type II)
  [ still active ]
  Wilmington Fire Department
  New Hanover County Fire Rescue

Definitions:

• Type I :
  • Up to 80 personnel
  • Completely self-sufficient for 72 hours
  • Designed to maintain 24 hour a day operations
  • Can respond with smaller response packages based on incident requirements
  • Can provide other specialized search and rescue resources to respond to all-hazards
  • Equivalent collapse response capability to a FEMA USAR Taskforce
  • Capabilities include heavy concrete breaching and breaking, in addition to wood frame structural responses
• Type II:
  • Up to 40 personnel
  • Two Type II Taskforces can combine to become a Type I Taskforce
  • Completely self-sufficient for 72 hours
  • Designed to maintain 12 hour a day operations
  • Can respond with smaller response packages based on incident requirements
  • Capabilities include heavy concrete breaching and breaking, in addition to wood frame structural responses

Sources

• City of Durham - Renewal of Urban Search and Rescue Memorandum of Agreement, link (pdf).
• FDmaps.com - North Carolina Urban Search and Rescue Teams, link.
• NC Department of Public Safety - Urban Search & Rescue Program Report, link (pdf).
• NC Department of Public Safety - Urban Search & Rescue, link.
• NC Secretary of State - Corporations Division, link.

Plus other stuff to be added, acknowledgements, etc.

North Carolina Canine Emergency Response Team

New section, under development!

1999-2004

In 1999, the North Carolina Canine Emergency Response Team (NCCERT) was organized.

• They provided search and rescue services using specially trained search teams of canines and support personnel.
• They also operated as part of North Carolina Strike Force 1, after conducting their first canine training session in July 1999.
• See earlier section about founders were Daniel "Mac" Morgan and David Inman.

In August 2000, NCCERT was incorporated as a non-profit charitable organization.

• The three incorporators were located in Cary (Inman), Wendell (Morgan), and Winston-Salem (Kelly Emerson).

In July 2003, Forsyth Rescue Squad ceased operation.

In August 2003, their corporation disbanded and the squad's building and assets were transferred to NCCERT.

• These assets added technical rescue capabilities to the canine response team.
• A number of squad members continued their participation in NCSF1, to provide personnel for technical rescue services. But they ceased participation within a short period time.
• Five members of NCCERT also began attending attending technical rescue classes, and expanding their skills to perform as rescue technicians.

After August 2003, NCCERT started looking for a new home.

• NCCERT shared their home base with NCSF1 at the Forsyth Rescue Squad building on Old Salisbury Road in Winston-Salem.
• After the squad closed, NCCERT began negotiating with the property owners to retain use of the building. They were unable to reach a deal.
• At the same time, NCCERT was looking for a new base of operation.
• Because they volunteers from all over North Carolina, and a majority of them in the central and eastern part of the state, they hoped to find something in central North Carolina.
• The NCCERT business office was located in Johnston County, near Wake County, and they targeted Wake County as a new home base.
• They tried to find a facility to house their equipment, such as the former Stony Hill fire station on Highway 98.
• They also considered Morrisville Fire Station 3, which was due to be vacated. (The Morrisville station, they later learned, would've be available for another twelve months.)
• Wake County Emergency Management officials suggested that they contact the town of Apex.

In the fall of 2003, NCCERT approached the town of Apex, about forming a partnership.

• They offered the town (and notably the fire department) the use of $2M worth of equipment and its volunteers.
• In return, they wanted the town to maintain the equipment, and give them a place to call home.

In January 2004, NCCERT relocated to Apex, NC.

• The rented a warehouse on Perry Street.
• Everything fit inside the building except their rescue truck, which was loaned to Lumberton Rescue Squad.
• The move was completed that month and NCCERT was operational from their new location.

In May 2004, the cooperative agreement between NCCERT and Apex FD was made official.

• The two organizations combined their resources to handle a wide variety of specialized rescue services.
• There was no cost to the town. NCCERT continued to operate on donated funds.
• Both the town and NCCERT, with 20 volunteers and President Mack Morgan, expected to benefit from the partnership.
   
• The NCERT vehicles were stored at Apex fire stations 1, 2, and 3.
• The town also provided NCCERT with an office trailer at Station 2.
• Some of the NCCERT vehicles were also re-lettered for Apex FD, notable the heavy rescue truck. 

Terms of the agreement included:

• Town would house equipment
• Town would maintain equipment
• Town would provided office space for NCCERT
• Firefighters would provided personnel
• Fire department would become a member of Task Force 4.

The agreement gave Apex FD access to:

• one rescue truck
• one water rescue response vehicle
• two water rescue boats
• one all-terrain vehicle
• one communications truck
• numerous types of equipment for trench and collapse rescues
• three search canines, with four more in training.

Vehicles housed at Apex Station 3 were:

• 1992 International/3D heavy rescue truck.
• 2002 Pace cargo trailer, two-axle, with trench rescue supplies.
• 2002002 Pace cargo trailer, two-axle, with structural collapse rescue supplies.

Other vehicles in the fleet were:

• 1999 Ford F-350 4x4 crew cab pick-up with camper shell. Command unit and tow vehicle. i>
• 1996 Ford F-350 "Squad 51" style utility truck. Water rescue unit and tow vehicle.
• 1994 Ford E-350/_____ modular ambulance. Converted to communications unit.
• 202002 Haulmark 14' two-axle cargo trailer, equipped with air-conditioning unit. Canine and personnel rehab unit and other purposes.
• Boats, jet skis, ATV, and trailers.

See fleet details below.

2005-present

In 2006, NCCERT and the town of Apex renewed their agreement.

In April 2006, the town of Apex agreed to purchase NCCERT assets, including:

• 1992 rescue truck
• 2002 rescue trailers (two), and their equipment
• flatbed cargo trailer
• dive truck (panel van).

NCCERT retained possession of the team's water rescue truck, boats, boat trailers, command vehicle, and communications unit.

Both Apex FD and NCCERT continued to operate as part of a Task Force 4.

By August 2007, the team's vehicle fleet as listed on their website was:

• C1 - Command and Transport Vehicle
• C4 - Communications Vehicle
• C5 - 17' Open Water Boat
• C6 - 14' Jon Boat, Aluminum
• C8 - 2004 Yamaha "660 Grizzly"
• C1C13 - USAR K-9 Trailer.

In/around 2011, NCCERT and Apex FD ended their partnership. By that time, NCCERT had relocated their business office to Wendell, and their office trailer at Station 2 was vacant. There were also logistical challenges, for NCCERT members who lived in eastern Wake County or Johnston County, the driving distance to Apex was significant. End the partnership was advantageous to both groups.

In 2011, NCCERT disposed of their communications unit, as increasing numbers of responding agencies had their own units.

In 2013, Task Force 4 and three other teams were dissolved, as the state streamlined its USAR resources.

In 2015, NCCERT changed their corporation name to NC K9 Emergency Response Team, Inc. (NC K9 ERT).

• The name was changed to eliminate confusion with the federal Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT), and those operating in North Carolina (NC CERT).
• Those programs were created after the events of September 11, 2001, and after NCCERT was organized.

The Team Today

Today, the team operates four units: canine search, ground search, sonar water search, and communications. They remain a non-profit charitable organization, supported by donations, and available for statewide response at the request of emergency agencies. They're available 24 hours a day, at the request of emergency agencies. They also work to promote understanding and public awareness of the role of search dogs, through demonstrations and lectures to local and state agencies, schools, and retirement and rest homes.

Courtesy NCCERT and Apex Fire Department

NCCERT Fleet Vehicles in 2004

Fleet information, June 2004:

C-1	Command Unit	1999 Ford F350 Crew Cab 4x4 Dual Wheel w/Shell
	Primary Duty	Personnel & Equipment, Tow Vehicle
	Equipment	GPS, Computer (online), VHF, UHF Radios
C-2	Water Response	1996 Ford F350 w/Utility Bed
	Primary Duty	Water Search & Rescue, Tow Vehicle, Dive Operations
	Equipment	Water Safety Equipment (Personnel), Ropes & Rigging, Underwater Camera, Medical Equipment
R-3	Heavy Rescue	1992 International Truck w/16' body Roll up Doors
	Primary Duty	Heavy Rescue (Vehicle Extrication, Low & High angle Rescue, Confined Space and as a Support Unit for Trench Collapse
	Equipment	On board 12kw Generator, Portable Lighting, Electrical Rescue Tools, On board & Portable Hydraulic Pumps for Hurst Rescue Equipment
C-4	Communications	1994 Ford E350 (Converted Ambulance)
	Primary Duty	Interoperability for Interagency Operations, Searches, Disasters, Special Events
	Equipment	VHF, UHF, 800, Low VHF, Marine, CB, Aviation, Alltel, Nextel, Amateur Radio (HF, 2mm, 70mm)Self Contained.
C-5	Boat (Open Water)	2003 Lowe 17' (Aluminum) Modified "v" Hull 7 Person
	Primary Duty	Canine Search Operations, Water Search, Rescue, Victim Evacuation, Rescue, Dive Operations
	Equipment	50hp Motor, GPS, Sonar, Trolling Motor, Radio
C-6	Jon Boat	1993 Aluminum Craft 14' Flat Bottom w/25hp Motor
	Primary Duty	Canine Search Operations, Rescue, Recovery, Dive
	Equipment	Basic Water Safety Equipment
C-7	Boat Inflatable	1996 14' Zodiac Hard Bottom w/20hp Jet Motor
	Primary Duty	Diver, Search Support,
	Equipment	Basic Water Safety Equipment
C-8	ATV	2004 Yamaha "660 Grizzly" w/5'x10' Trailer
	Primary Duty	Search, Transport Personnel, Canines, Equipment
	Equipment	Still being evaluated
C-9	PWC	1999 Kawasaki Jet Ski
	Primary Duty	Search, Rescue, Transport Personnel, Equipment
	Equipment	Basic Water Safety Equipment
C-10	PWC	1995 Yamaha Jet Ski
	Primary Duty	Search, Rescue, Transport Personnel, Equipment
	Equipment	Basic Water Safety Equipment
T-1	Trailer	2002 Pace Enclosed Cargo W/side door & rear ramp door
	Primary Duty	Transport required equipment used in Trench Collapse Rescue
	Equipment	51-Airshore Struts (pneumatic), 10-Shorform Panels, 7-Ground Pads, Ingersol-Rand Air Compressor, Air Tools, Saws, (Manual & Power)
SC-1	Trailer	2-Air Knife for emergency excavations, 2-Portable Pumps, 2-P
	Primary Duty	2002 Pace Enclosed Cargo W/side door & rear ramp door
	Equipment	Portable Air Compressor, Portable Generator, Pneumatic Nailers, Electric Power Tools, Hand Tools, Shoring Materials, Stanley Hydraulic Pump, 1-35lb, 2-45lb, 1-90lb Breakers, Air Hammer Drill, 3-Set Cordless Power Tools, Paretech Low & High pressure Lift Bags, Hydraulic Jacks, High Lift Jacks, Measuring and Marking Equipment
C-13	NCTF-1 Canine	2003 Haulmark 14' Enclosed Trailer
	Primary Duty	Canine & Personnel Rehab Unit,   Mini Ops Command Logistical & Equipment Transport
	Equipment	Heat & Air Condition, 4.5 kw Honda Quiet Gen (EU-4500)80 amp Converter, Snake Eye Camera, Hole Saw (Gas)
C-15	Trailer	2001 Land 18' with Rack
	Primary Duty	Water Response, Operational Support
	Equipment	C-6 & C-7, PFD'S, Ropes & Rigging, 12kw Quiet Onan Generator, Mounted & Portable Light Units, 10'x20' Shelter

Sources:

• Apex Herald, June 25, 2004, "Apex partners with NCCERT," retrieved via Internet Archive, https://web.archive.org/web/20041222084856/http://www.theapexherald.com:80/news/2004062500484.html.
• NCCERT web site, http://www.nccert.org.
• NCCERT web site archives, retrieved via Internet Archive, https://archive.org.
• NC Secretary of State corporation records, https://www.sosnc.gov/search/index/corp.
• Oral histories.