Search & Rescue
Urban Search & Rescue
The Virgin Islands Urban Search and Rescue Task Force One (VI-TF1) is an organized Technical Rescue Team dedicated to saving lives through the enhancement of rescue capabilities in the territory of the US Virgin Islands. Since its inception, VI-TF1 has had two goals: 1) To improve the rescue capabilities of local jurisdictions and 2) To provide an Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) response for the US Virgin Islands.
VI-TF1 is the primary response unit for handling Urban Search and Rescue incidents in the USVI. The St. Croix Rescue Department serves as the Sponsoring Agency. The Tack Force is structured to maintain a minimum of 72 hours of self-sustaining functionality and the capability of handling extended periods of operations. VITF-1 is also capable of deployment to provide the rapid, efficient USAR response and incident management where needed.
Chief Gregory N. Richards serves as the VI-TF1 Task Force Leader. The Chief supervises and directs the overall operations of the Task Force. The Assistant Task Force Leader is Deputy Chief Carl Fleming of the St. Thomas Rescue Department.
Virgin Islands Urban Search and Rescue Task Force (VI-TF1) is comprised of various Emergency Response Personnel from St. Croix Rescue Squad, VIEMS, VIFS, as well as other emergency response professionals and volunteer members from the St. Thomas Rescue Squad, St. John Rescue Squad and the Water Island Search and Rescue Team.
OUR STAFF
Executive Staff
Chief - Gregory N. Richards
Chief, Richards has served the Virgin Islands Emergency Services community for more than twenty years. He has been with St. Croix Rescue for the past 18 years and is one of its charter members. Before coming to St. Croix Rescue he served with the Virgin Islands Government, Office of Civil Defense & Emergency Services were he excelled through the organization, attaining the rank of Major, the highest rank in the Departments organizational chart at that time. He has also served as a senior counselor and instructor for the Air Force Auxiliary - St. Croix Civil Air Patrol, and an instructor for the American Red Cross, St. Croix Chapter.
The Chief has been largely responsible for the development and progress of the Department over the years. His tenacity and aggressive management style has helped to move St. Croix Rescue Squad into the international spotlight.
He attended the University of the Virgin Islands before joining the Department of Health as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). Chief Richard's is a trained EMT- Paramedic and has served two terms as the President of the Virgin Islands Emergency Medical Technicians Association St. Croix Chap. Chief Gregory Richards has had extensive experience as an Emergency Medical Technician- Paramedic and also is a Nationally Certified Instructor Trainer by the American Heart Association (AHA), American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI), National Red Cross, and the National Safety Council. He has taught numerous Emergency Management courses locally and Internationally; and also serves as an instructor at the Virgin Islands Police Academy. Chief Richards has more than 20 years of clinical experience in pre-hospital medicine, and over 10 years as a flight medic. He is a renowned expert in Technical Rescue and EMS education. Over the years he has published dozens of articles in a wide array of topics in emergency medicine and technical rescue and frequently lectures and consults nationally and internationally. Presently, Chief Richards serves as the Vice President of the Caribbean Association of Fire Chiefs (CACDAFO).
A graduate of the Massachusetts Civil Defense Institute, Chief Richard's is a Certified Heavy-Duty Rescue Instructor, American Heart Association CPR Instructor/Trainer, ACLS and (PALS) Pediatrics advanced life Support Instructor and BTLS Instructor.
He has been honored by the American Legion VI post, the American Red Cross, the St. Croix Rescue Squad, and the Virgin Islands Government, Office of Civil Defense & Emergency Services now (VITEMA), and was a 1992 Tomorrow's People honoree.
Deputy Chief Ivan Sargeant, is a National Registered EMT, and holds numerous Professional Certifications including Certified Extrication Technical, High Angle Rescue Specialist and Instructor. He has served in the Virgin Islands Emergency Services community for more than twenty years. The Deputy Chief has been with St. Croix Rescue for the past 18 years and is one of its Charter members. He has also serves on the Board of Directors, Chairman of the fund raising Unit, the HAZMAT team and Commander of the Marine Unit.
Chief Sargeant has also served for many years as an instructor for the American Red Cross, St. Croix Chapter.
He has been with the organization since it's inception. In addition to his general supervisory responsibilities, the Deputy Chief also has special oversight responsibilities for the Marine Unit and the ESPECTT unit.
Lt. Marlon Anthony, Chief of Staff, Has served with the Department since it's inception. The Chief of Staff is an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician and holds numerous Professional Certifications including, Certified Extrication Technical, High Angle Rescue Specialist and Certified AHA-CPR Instructor.. The Chief of Staff has been the recipient of many Rescue squad awards including the very prestigious 'Capt. Dexter L. Mardenbourgh' Rescuer of the year award.
The Chief of Staff serves as the Personnel Officer. and has served with the department since it's inception. A eighteen (18) year veteran, he has also serves on the Board of Directors, the HAZMAT team and Commander of the PCP Unit.
Dr. Prasad also serves as the Director of training and Commandant of the Rescue Training Academy. He is Board certified in Emergency Medicine. FACEP and holds VI Medical Licensure. As a practicing physician for the past 17 years, Doctor Prasad served for six years as an emergency Room physician at the Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital and Health Center, where he also served as Emergency Room Director. He is a Staff Pediatrics Physician at the Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center. Acting Virgin Islands EMS Medical Director in 1986. Despite a very busy private practice Dr. Prasad continues to teach in the local EMS community and holds current certification in ACLS, ATLS, PALS & CPR Instructor
Operations Division - Lt. Alaric Gardine, Commander Special
Lt. Alaric A. Gardine, BA, NREMT-I serves as the Administrative Assistant to the Board of Directors and Office Manager.
A Graduate of Morehouse College, Lt. Gardine has been an active with the Department since 1992, and serves actively as an American Heart Association - CPR Instructor. Mr. Gardine holds several positions in the Rescue squad to include assistant field operations officer and Assistant Training Coordinator. He has been the recipient of numerous Rescue awards including the 'Capt. Dexter L. Mardenbourgh' rescuer of the year award---an honor of distinction.
Lt. Eugene Phipps is a Nationally Registered EMT-Paramedic. Presently the Field Operations Commander responsible for all Field Ops activities.
He has direct oversight responsibilities for all strike teams and Commanders and Assistant Commanders. He has also server as the Training office Coordinator. Lt. John-Baptiste is an Extrication Specialist, Advanced Cardiac Life Support well as a CPR and First Responder Instructor. A ten (10) year veteran, he has also serves on the HAZMAT team and the ESPECTT Unit.
Commander Cpl. Jason Henry, is presently the Marine Unit Commander responsible all Marine Search and Rescue activites. He has served as the Training Office Supervisor. Commander Jones is a Nationally Registered EMT, Advanced Open & Rescue Diver. as well as a AHA- CPR Instructor . A ten (7) year veteran, he has also serves on the HAZMAT team and the PCP Unit.
Commander is a Nationally Registered EMT-Paramedic. Presently serves as the Training Coordinator responsible for all training activities for the squad Ms. Jacqueline has direct oversight responsibilities for the Training Academy as well as all Community (external) training programs. strike teams, Commanders and Assistant Commanders. She has also server as the Assistant Commander for the PCP Unit.
She has had extensive experience as an Emergency Medical Technician- Paramedic and also is a certified instructor for CPR by the American Heart Association (AHA). She has taught numerous EMT courses locally and abroad and also serves as an instructor at the EMS training Institute A graduate of the Central Texas Collage, Ms Greenidge is also certified in ACLS, (PALS) Pediatrics advanced life Support and is a BTLS Instructor.
Commander Goodrich, is the Commander of the fund raising unit responsible all Marine Search and Rescue activities. She has served as the Public Information Officer Mrs. Charles is a Certified First Responder, A five (5) year veteran, she has also served in the Communication Department and the ESPECTT Unit.
Sgt. Cruz is a Nationally Registered EMT- Intermediate. Presently the Assistant Field Operations Commander responsible for Administrative functions of the Field Ops Division. She has direct oversight responsibilities for the PCP Unit as well as all strike teams Commanders and Assistant Commanders. She also serves as a CPR and First Responder Instructor in the Training Division. Cpl. Burgos is a ten (10) year veteran, she has also serves on the HAZMAT team and the Public Relations Unit
Sgt. Patricia Joseph, BA, NREMT-I serves as the Administrative Assistant to the Board of Directors and Office Manager.
A Graduate of Morehouse College, Lt. Gardine has been an active with the Department since 1992, and serves actively as an American Heart Association - CPR Instructor. Mr. Gardine holds several positions in the Rescue squad to include assistant field operations officer and Assistant Training Coordinator. He has been the recipient of numerous Rescue awards including the 'Capt. Dexter L. Mardenbourgh' rescuer of the year award---an honor of distinction.