PITTSBURGH – Sens. Devlin Robinson (R-37) and Camera Bartolotta (R-46) joined Reps. Dan Miller (D-42) and Natalie Mihalek (R-40), first responders and members of Pennsylvania Urban Search and Rescue Strike Team 1 (PA-ST1) today to honor the heroes involved in the lifesaving rescue following the Charleroi trench collapse this summer.
“On Aug. 28, a call came in that no one ever wants to receive – a trench collapse in Charleroi had left a worker trapped beneath several tons of dirt,” said Robinson. “It was a life-or-death situation that demanded precision, courage and teamwork under extraordinary pressure. Thanks to the tireless efforts of our first responders and the Pennsylvania Strike Team 1, Vincenzo Lopez was rescued and is now recovering. Today we honor the men and women who train and stand ready every single day to answer the call.”
Last year, Robinson successfully championed legislation alongside Sen. Jay Costa (D-43) establishing a new Urban Search and Rescue Task Force in western Pennsylvania. The task force – composed of highly trained firefighters, engineers, medical professionals, canine handlers and emergency managers – is equipped to rapidly deploy in response to structural collapses, floods, hurricanes and other emergencies.
The measure – sponsored in the House by Miller and Mihalek and signed into law as Act 113 of 2024 – complements the existing Task Force One based in southeastern Pennsylvania, ensuring comprehensive disaster response coverage across the state. The law strengthens Pennsylvania’s emergency response network and bolsters readiness to protect communities in critical moments.
The rescue unfolded for roughly five hours to free Vincenzo Lopez, who was trapped in a 15-foot trench in Charleroi. Crews used a vacuum truck to remove surrounding dirt, fitted Lopez with a harness then assisted him with walking out. He was then transported to a Pittsburgh-area hospital. During the rescue, a secondary collapse was prevented by proper shoring, and rescue teams also employed air compressors to loosen soil and worked carefully around a mini excavator already in the trench.
“I thought you all deserved to hear it from the heart. Without all of you – without your collective efforts – I would not be here. I would not be standing here,” said Lopez, who took part in today’s event. “The sacrifices that you make every day – they matter. I’m glad I can be a representation of how much that matters and how well you can work together when you need to. I owe you my future every day. You live in my heart, so thank you.”
“Today’s ceremony was about recognizing the incredible professionalism and teamwork that saved a life in Charleroi,” said Bartolotta. “What happened that evening was nothing short of extraordinary, with nearly forty entities responding and each playing a vital role in a complex and dangerous rescue. Because of their skill, coordination and courage, Vincenzo Lopez is with us today. It was an honor to stand alongside my colleagues and thank these men and women who represent the very best of Pennsylvania’s first responders.”
“While it is expensive to get your equipment, it is really hard to get volunteers, and we have not made it easy in Pennsylvania. We’ve placed obstacles in the way: educational requirements, the amount of time you must invest,” Mihalek said. “We have to get out of the way and remove some of the barriers. I am very thankful to be here and to have been part of this legislation.”
“The work in Charleroi is exactly why we fought to increase state support of urban search and rescue efforts,” said Miller. “This requires a unique skill set, specialized training and the right team to save lives in such critical situations. I am thankful to Strike Team 1 for their commitment and to be part of the bipartisan effort to further enhance specialized rescue operations in Pennsylvania.”
The recognition ceremony, held at the PA-ST1 facility in Carnegie, celebrated the skill, courage and coordination that saved Lopez, who was trapped beneath several tons of dirt. Charleroi Fire Department Chief Robert Whiten, Jr. and PA-ST1 Task Force Leader Brian Kokkila were also in attendance.
“Every disaster begins and ends locally, and the team in Charleroi did a phenomenal job setting the stage for a successful rescue,” said Kokkila. “Our team was proud to provide technical support, but the foundation for success was built by Charleroi’s leadership and their local responders.”
“I was extremely proud of how the entire operation came together,” said Whiten Jr. “Departments from four different counties worked side by side with the Urban Search and Rescue team. Everyone knew their role, the coordination was seamless, and thankfully no first responders were injured. It was truly a team effort.”
The ceremony recognized not only the successful rescue but also the ongoing dedication of first responders who stand ready to protect Pennsylvania communities every day.
CONTACT:
Stephanie Applegate (Robinson)