Again and again, Robert Kamski, a 30 year volunteer veteran with the Red Cross organization, pointed out that a first-response team to natural disasters should be better equipped and supplied with more adequate vehicles than present rescue teams.

Experience had shown that bulky fire-rescue trucks, standard police cruisers or regular ambulances just didn't stand a chance once roads were severely obstructed or flooded.

Robert Kamski visualized a flexible, small first response team, much like the THW (Technical Aid Works) in Germany, equipped with agile AWD military-style vehicles, which had to be smaller, narrower and with much better ground clearance than standard rescue vehicles.

Searching for it he came across the "Pinzgauer", a light military truck made in Austria for the Austrian and Swiss army. It was designed for rough mountainous terrain with steep ravines and narrow paths and roads. But because of its capacities it is also ideal to be taken into any other difficult-to-access area, e.g. a hurricane or tornado devastation zone.

After a family friend almost lost her life during hurricane Wilma in 2005, just because ambulances couldn't get through to take her to a hospital, Robert Kamski, a North Miami Beach resident for over 20 years, went to work.

He founded the not-for-profit organization called TAC (Technical Aid Convoy) and bought the first "Pinzgauer". Using his own resources and with the contributions of relatives, friends and













businesses, 2 more were bought shortly after. Today these 3, a command vehicle, an ambulance, and a tool and equipment carrier form the first TAC convoy.

For his work with the Red Cross in 2006 Mr. Kamski received "The President's Volunteer Service Award" in Silver. His longtime work for the Red Cross was recognized with the "Lifetime Achievement Award" by The President's Council in 2007.

"I have often been asked, why I am doing this work" Mr. Kamski commented. "For me it is a way of saying a big "Thank You" to the American People for letting me be a guest in this country". Robert Kamski, a German citizen, is living in The United States as a business man for many years.



Miami, Florida - January 1, 2008



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LAST UPDATE: August 12, 2010
TECHNICAL AID CONVOY          TAC South Florida Chapter     
First Response Unit in Catastrophic Events
TAC is a Non-Profit 501(c)-3 organization registered under the Florida Statutes of Law