Homeland Security Division honors international rescue team.

• Position: NDIA News

The National Defense Industrial Association's Homeland Security Division presented its highest honor, the America Secure Award, to Virginia Task Force 1, the international search-and-rescue team of the Fairfax County, Va,, Fire and Rescue Department.

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In selecting Virginia Task Force 1 for the America Secure Award, NDIA's Homeland Security Division membership has for the first time recognized a local public safety organization with accomplishments and impact that far exceed the geographic boundaries of its home location.

Established in 1986 as a domestic and international disaster response resource, the task force has 200 specially trained career and volunteer personnel with expertise in the rescue of victims from collapsed structures following a natural or manmade catastrophic event.

Last year, it served in Haiti in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake. Along with dozens of domestic incidents, it has served in countries such...