The Columbus City Council on Oct. 20 adopted a memorandum of understanding with the City of Lincoln that establishes the Columbus Fire Department as a participating agency for FEMA Nebraska Task Force 1.

The presenter (identified in the meeting as the chief) told council the chief benefits of participation are training and access to urban search-and-rescue and technical-rescue resources. "The biggest benefit is gonna be the fact that the training that comes along with this team is second to none," the chief said, adding that personnel selected to serve on the team would bring that training back to the local department.

The chief said the team is deployable for national and international incidents — examples cited in the discussion included structural collapses, 9/11, earthquakes in Haiti, and flooding — and can be rosters of specialized personnel depending on incident needs. Council members asked about costs; the chief said that Lincoln handles reimbursement through FEMA and that there is no cost to the City of Columbus for membership, including equipment and training costs. "No additional funds required. They outfit them, supply them, train them," the chief said.

Mayor Boeckley and other council members praised the opportunity for local firefighters to gain experience and training. The council adopted resolution R25-135 by voice vote.