Rescue teams from Maryland and Virginia fire and rescue departments have been activated to provide support and resources to areas affected by Hurricane Dorian.
The hurricane was upgraded to a Category 4 on Friday night.
Fairfax County-based Virginia Task Force One and Montgomery County-based Maryland Task Force One were activated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency on Friday.
VA-TF1 has been activated as an 80 person (Type 1) Urban Search & Rescue team by @fema for #HurricaneDorian. @ffxfirerescue pic.twitter.com/WFTBflPKoc
— VA-TF1 / USA-1 – Urban Search and Rescue (@VATF1) August 30, 2019
Sixteen out of 28 FEMA teams across the country are heading to Florida, said Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service spokesman Pete Piringer.
Maryland Task Force One is sending about 85 people, including doctors and structural engineers, along with six dogs and 20 vehicles.
Those vehicles include tractor trailers, large box trucks, pickups, all-terrain vehicles, boats, motor coaches and passenger vans, said Scott Goldstein, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service chief.
They will be deployed for 10 to 14 days, and they are trained in heavy concrete rescue, as well as lightweight collapse rescue.
Maryland task force 1 activation to Florida – @mcfrs Fire Chief Scott Goldstein https://t.co/umM0xr2zvY
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) August 30, 2019
Maryland Task Force One is made up of members from fire departments in Montgomery, Howard and Prince George’s counties, as well as specialized civilian members.
“The opportunity to go out and help another community is what makes this the driving passion of all our first responders,” Goldstein said.
