The Rescue Company

Chief Ray Downey has developed city and national rescue teams, and has been involved in numerous rescue operations, including the bombing of the World Trade Center, the bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City, and various natural disasters. He offers guidelines and recommendations on how to start a rescue company, the equipment needed, and the operational planning that is necessary for company development. Specific rescue company response incidents are also discussed.

Deputy Chief Ray Downey lost his life while commanding rescue operations at the World Trade Center attack on September 11, 2001. Deputy Chief Downey was chief of rescue operations and a 39-year veteran of the Fire Department of New York. He was the most highly decorated firefighter in the history of FDNY.

In addition to his great courage as a firefighter, Deputy Chief Downey was nationally known for his pioneering efforts in the field of technical rescue and was the unofficial leader of the FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Teams, which he trained for disaster response throughout the United States and the world. Deputy Chief Downey commanded rescue operations at many difficult and complex disasters, including the Oklahoma City Bombing, the 1993 World Trade Center Bombing, and many natural disasters worldwide.