To Howell Rescue:

First, thank you for welcoming us back from NYC. We saw you in front of the Fairborn Fire Station. Second, thank you for your quick response with the hydraulic system for deployment. This has been an area of concern for many of us during mobilization drills. I am glad you came through.

I wanted to let you know how we utilized the Vario. The Vario was one of the most used tools at the incident from our team, along with the handheld rebar cutter. We used the vario to cut and spread various pieces of the aluminum channel when working in the debris pile. We forced doors to ambulances and fire trucks under the debris. We forced hundreds of doors and elevators in the surrounding buildings while searching them. We carried the tool with a squad whenever we worked the site. Many times other members or other teams would call for it in their area to force or move something. With the acres of debris to climb and search, only tools of this nature (light, powerful, and able to be carried by one person) were helpful. Thank you for allowing us to deploy with such a wonderful item.

Jack Reall
Rescue Team Manager, Night Ops
FEMA/Ohio Task Force 1 US&R