by Kenneth R. Bazinet
Haitian President Rene Preval personally thanked members of the New York Urban Search & Rescue Task Force (NY-TF1) today for their heroic work saving lives after the earthquake struck Haiti in January.
"This response, thanks to its swiftness, thanks to its size, was commensurate with the disaster," Preval said.
On hand were Battalion Chief Joseph Downey, of the FDNY's Special Ops Command and senior Task Force leader. Downey was the point man for NY-TF1 during its response to the Haiti earthquake, as well as Hurricane Katrina.
Also at the Rose Garden ceremony was Deputy Inspector Robert Lukach of the NYPD's Emergency Services Unit. He joined Downey in leading NY-TF1 in multiple rescues, partnering with international urban search and rescue teams as well as units from around the U.S.
The NYC-based unit's most notable rescue involved two children trapped for eight days. Downey and Lukach called it the high point of NY-TF1's efforts.
Preval was at the White House meeting with President Obama to thank him for the more than $700 million the U.S. sent the devastated island nation. Preval also assured Obama he will hold free and fair elections in Haiti next year.
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