ICE HSI Rapid Response Teams come to the rescue in Louisiana
Following the recent flooding in Baton Rouge, many people in the region needed to be rescued from wherever they were when the waters rose. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Rapid Response Team and other ICE employees jumped in to help.
These all-volunteer teams comprising HSI special agents and HSI non-law enforcement personnel quickly deploy during natural and manmade disasters, as well as emergency situations, when other federal, local or state agencies request ICE assistance.
In Baton Rouge, the HSI New Orleans Rapid Response Team assisted the Louisiana State Police and Parish Sheriff’s Office by manning air boats that rescued an elderly couple in need of medical care and provided assistance to flooding victims in the region.
Their motto, “Anytime, Anywhere,” reflects their mission in that they are operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and are always prepared to deploy to an affected area within 12 to 24 hours.
Team members are trained to deploy nationwide to support recovery from natural and manmade disasters or other similar events in which law enforcement and humanitarian support may be requested or required. The training includes instruction in first aid, land navigation, field patrol, rescue ropes, defensive tactics and disaster response training. The training culminates in multiple practical exercises simulating a broad range of disaster response-related scenarios.
Updated: