Members of the Maryland Task Force 1 with water rescue capabilities moved from Georgia to western North Carolina Monday as they continued to assist in rescue efforts as a result of Hurricane Helene.
Montgomery County Fire Chief Corey Smedley estimated that the team performed “several dozen water rescues,” and used helicopters to help evacuate stranded residents.
The task force is a FEMA Urban Search and Rescue team consisting of 45 emergency workers from Montgomery County, Howard County, Prince George’s County and the District of Columbia. They are canine handlers, workers who deal with building structural damage, medical personnel and search and rescue staff.
They first were sent to Macon, Georgia for a few days searching and rescuing injured and trapped people.
They then were sent on to western North Carolina, which was hit hard by flooding and wind damage. Some of the people there are isolated without power, a way to communicate and a safe escape route.
Task force member have rendered medical care along with local medical teams, according to Smedley.
They were asked to assist for 10 to 14 days. If they are needed longer, a Smedley and his staff will determine if Montgomery County has adequate personnel to tend to emergency calls here. They also will decide if the task force members have the time and energy to continue, he said.
Currently, there have been no gaps in service while some of the county firefighters and emergency personnel are serving in North Carolina, Smedley said.
While in Georgia, task force members conducted residential searches, assessed damages and provided assistance in that area as well as other areas, according to Pete Piringer, spokesperson for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue (MCFRS).
ICYMI @fema Maryland Task Force 1 (MD-TF1) received orders to redeploy north from GA into western North Carolina which is experiencing significant impacts including heavy flooding, wind damage, creating dangerous conditions for local communities, many areas isolated & cut off pic.twitter.com/9PkamAMUVh
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) September 30, 2024
9/30 RX @FEMA_Deanne in North Carolina with @FEMARegion4 Administrator Robert Samaan, meeting with @NC_Governor and local & state officials. @fema and federal partners are flying resources like food and water to western NC. pic.twitter.com/jLyhk0NItB
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) September 30, 2024
Those looking to support WCK’s support efforts can donate to the organization. The website heleneaid.com also provides a list of organizations providing relief.
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