911th Engineer Company (United States)
| 911th Engineer Company | |
|---|---|
 Homer McElvoy, an Arlington Co. Firefighter, talking to a member of the 911th Engineer Company during a rescue exercise near the Memorial Tunnel in Gallagher, W.Va., 13 June 2006, conducted by the Center for National Response. |
|
| Active | |
| Country | United States of America |
| Branch | United States Army |
| Type | Combat engineering, Urban search and rescue |
| Role | Support |
| Size | Company |
| Garrison/HQ | Fort Belvoir, Virginia |
The 911th Engineer Company (Technical Rescue), formerly the MDW (Military District of Washington) Engineer Company, is one of two combat engineering companies in the United States Army that specialize in urban search and rescue (USAR).[1][2] Its sister Company is the 178th Engineer Company located in Fort Polk, LA and is assigned to the Defense CBRNE Response Force. The 911th is stationed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, and is best known for its response to the attack on The Pentagon on 11 September attacks. The Company was not approved to engage in rescue efforts. The First Sergeant and Company Commander took responsibility into their own hands to support other rescuers from the area. It was re-designated as the 911th Engineer Company on September 11, 2006, in memory of its historic role in the subsequent recovery effort.[3]
The 911th is assigned to the 12th Aviation Battalion, itself a subordinate headquarters of the Military District of Washington. The company is Pro Board certified in Rescue Technician disciplines including Trench Rescue Levels 1 & 2, Structural Collapse Levels 1& 2, Rope Rescue Levels 1 & 2 and Confined Space Levels 1 & 2 as well as certified in Mine Rescue. It regularly trains with local, state, and federal first responders, to include the Secret Service in the National Capital Region as a valuable contributor to the joint homeland defense organization, the Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region.
The 911th Engineer Company is part of the U.S. Army, with some differences in classification.[citation needed] Itd overall authority is the MDW Commanding General, who reports to the President of the United States.[citation needed] The Company was on standby during the 2009 Presidential Inauguration.[2]
Unlike other conventional military units, new members must pass through a screening process in which the company First Sergeant screens each soldier.[citation needed] The company was equipped with heavy transport and dump trucks in 2012.[4]
References [edit]
- ^ Lopez, C. Todd. "Military plays security support role for inauguration". U.S. Army. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
- ^ a b Lopez, C. Todd. "US Army Prepped for Inaugural Contingencies" (Blog). The Tension. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
- ^ Mani, Tom (5 October 2006). "MDW engineer company redesignated as 911th". Pentagram. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
- ^ Creech, Justin. "New equipment modernizes 911th Engineer Company". Belvoir Eagle. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
