The IAFC has officially completed the expansion of the Go Teams, a response group created and administered by the IAFC Emergency Management Committee. Following a selection and training process, IAFC initiated an additional 23 IAFC members to join the ranks of current two-member teams in every FEMA region, doubling the number of responders available to aid communities in need.
Go Team members are on call to assist any local, state or federal authority that is dealing with a disaster. They are ready to assist with all services, including command and general staff, resource management, incident action plans, and documentation. The program receives financial assistance from the National Integration Center, a department within FEMA.
The new members of the team are:
- Charles Foley, Jr., Randolph, Mass.
- Thomas Bogart, Lynnfield, Mass.
- Jeff Liebold, Arlington, Va.
- Joseph Theobald, Ocean City, Md.
- Barry Baker, Ocala, Fla.
- Leeanna Mims, Seminole County, Fla.
- Timothy Sparrow, Clearwater, Fla.
- Patrick Kendrick, Tamarac, Fla.
- John McNeil, Atlanta, Ga.
- Bill Lewis, Atlanta, Ga.
- Derek Bergsten, Rockford, Ill.
- Matthew Knott, Rockford, Ill.
- Christopher Truty, Mount Prospect, Ill.
- David Whiting, Columbus, Ohio
- Sean Hughes, N. Richland Hills, Tex.
- William Bell, Richland Hills, Tex.
- James Mason, Siloam Springs, Alaska
- Mark Stenger, O’Fallon, Mo.
- Robert Wylie, Cottleville, Mo.
- Donald Harper, Prairie Village, Kan.
- Brian Giachino, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- Jerry Rhodes, Cunningham Fire District, Colo.
- Frank Cardinale, San Francisco, Calif.
- Jim Walkowski, Centralia, Wash.
The new members completed a weeklong training program in April, which included classroom work and presentations on a myriad of topics related to disaster response. They reviewed the primary positions and task assignments within the National Response Framework and the National Incident Management System.
Additionally, they received special training on the state and national Incident Management Team program and the state Incident Support Team programs. The training also included a special segment on the National Grid System and a review of the anticipated activities for activation, based on scenarios from several recently declared federal disasters and previous Go Team activations.
To request assistance from the Go Team, call toll-free at 1-888-840-6884. If you have questions or want more information, visit the IAFC's Mutual Aid webpage or contact Bill Bullock at 703-537-4849 or bbullock@iafc.org.
About the International Association of Fire Chiefs
The IAFC represents the leadership of firefighters and emergency responders worldwide. IAFC members are the world's leading experts in firefighting, emergency medical services, terrorism response, hazardous materials spills, natural disasters, search and rescue, and public safety legislation. Since 1873, the IAFC has provided a forum for its members to exchange ideas, develop professionally and uncover the latest products and services available to first responders.