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Pittsburgh City Council

State grants $6M to launch Urban Search and Rescue Task Force.

Written by Amy Whipple

  • The City received a $6 million grant from the State to create and oversee an Urban Search and Rescue Task Force sponsored by the Department of Public Safety.
  • According to Assistant Fire Chief Kokkila, the need for such a team came out of the 2022 Fern Hollow Bridge collapse. Resources, such as “live find” canines, had to be brought in from the eastern side of the state.
  • The team will specialize in natural or man-made disasters such as structural collapses, floods and hurricanes.
  • It will include firefighters, engineers, medical professionals, canine handlers and emergency managers.
  • Assistant Chief Kokkila said the first two canines have been purchased using seed funding. They are puppies currently being trained in tasks such as navigating collapsed buildings. They will be the only live find canines west of Harrisburg.
  • The Task Force will not be limited to the City in terms of service area or who can be part of the Task Force. The primary focus will be Western Pennsylvania, but the team can go anywhere they are needed in the state.
  • They will also be able to eventually participate in state-to-state aid during emergencies, according to Assistant Chief Kokkila.
  • The initial funding will be spent over two years. Additional funding to sustain the Task Force will come from the State as well.

Connections to this story

Topics:
Public Safety & EMS
Governments:
Pittsburgh City Council
Public meetings:
City Council · July 22, 2025
Sources:
Resolution 2025-2055 — authorizing the Mayor and the Director of Public Safety to enter into an Agreement or Agreements with the Pennsylvania…

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