PICHER , Oklahoma ( CNN ) -- In a year marked by massive flooding , deadly tornadoes and blazing wildfires , Tad Skylar Agoglia has never been needed more . This week , he 's on the scene in Iowa . Tad Agoglia started the nonprofit First Response Team of America to help clean up areas hit by disaster . Agoglia is the founder of The First Response Team of America , his self-funded , nonprofit , nomadic , four-man cleanup crew that provides immediate , emergency aid to areas hit by disasters . Since May 2007 , the team has helped thousands of victims at 15 disaster sites across the United States and has rapidly become a recognized name in first responder aid . `` The most critical phase of a disaster is the first few days , '' Agoglia says . `` That 's when you have to find the people that are in desperate need of medical attention , food , water . '' Agoglia bases that conclusion on more than four years of on-the-scene experience . When his company , Disaster Recovery Solutions , was hired to clean up after storms like Hurricane Katrina , he noted that days -- even weeks -- routinely passed before authorities began establishing recovery operations . Local response officials were often debilitated by a loss of resources , and aid organizations arriving early on the scene with water , medical care and food were unable to reach those in need because of road-blocking debris or flooding . `` I got this crazy idea to use one of my cranes to respond immediately to a disaster and just open up roads , '' Agoglia recalls . `` So I deployed equipment immediately . And sure enough , there was a need . '' During a year in which the country has suffered unprecedented storm numbers and damage , needs are only escalating . `` Initially , I thought I 'd respond to one or two storms a year for free , '' says Agoglia . `` But the demand has been so great , I could n't say no . '' Agoglia has continued to develop his arsenal of equipment to meet that demand . The First Response Team consists of more than $ 1 million in specialized machinery able to adapt to the various challenges of disaster sites . Each of two 75-foot max trucks can hold up to eight average dump trucks ' worth of debris and has a high-speed crane with interchangeable heads that can lift , crush and cut its way through collapsed buildings in 20 minutes to an hour . `` Especially when little towns get hit , there 's not much assistance for them , '' Agoglia says . `` With my equipment , I can come in and clean up the whole town in two days . '' Agoglia hauls a multi-terrain hovercraft , dirt bikes , satellite phones with GPS tracking , a huge generator and a large water pump . Soon , he 'll add a fire truck and a complex satellite database to connect those suddenly homeless with separated loved ones . Crisscrossing the country , responding to every type of disaster , Agoglia and his team understand the realities of separation all too well . `` I actually had an apartment , but it was a waste . I was never even there , '' says the Long Island , New York , native . `` So , I took those resources and put them into this team . '' Watch Agoglia and his team in action » . His inability to turn away from this mission has also meant a halt to Disaster Recovery Solutions ' contractual work , with Agoglia 's personal savings solely funding The First Response Team so far . With the escalating cost of fuel , Agoglia 's monthly operational costs have rocketed to $ 45,000 . Yet with only a year 's reserve left , the seminary grad remains undaunted in his leap of faith . Watch Agoglia describe the sacrifices that helped make his First Response Team a reality » . `` I used to worry about money . I 'd sit down with a yellow notepad and calculator and run the numbers , but I do n't do that anymore , '' Agoglia says . `` With the experiences that I 've had in these communities , and working with these wonderful people all over America , how can I not help ? '' Watch Agoglia describe reactions his team receives when they show up to help » . Ultimately , Agoglia envisions multiple teams covering the country , funded by corporate and federal sponsors , and eliminating the perpetual dilemma faced by his own team when choosing between communities in need . `` We need more teams . There 's no question about it , '' he says . `` America deserves this type of response . ''
Tad Agoglia started the nonprofit First Response Team of America . It provides immediate emergency aid to areas hit by disasters . Since May 2007 , the team has helped thousands of victims at 15 U.S. sites .