The concept of a high-level urban search-and-rescue team based in Allegheny County moved forward on Wednesday as a bill approving the plan passed the Senate in Harrisburg. Emergency services officials were optimistic the long-desired team might eventually become a reality.
Brian Kokkila, assistant chief for the Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire and a regional search-and-rescue task force leader, was in the Capitol to watch the Senate pass the bill unanimously. It now goes to the House for consideration.
“It sustains and codifies something that should have happened 20 years ago,” Mr. Kokkila said.
A top-level, federally funded team already is based in Philadelphia, but none exists in Western Pennsylvania.