FEMA Activates MCFRS Search and Rescue Team (PHOTOS & VIDEO)

UPDATED In a warehouse off Dover Road in Rockville, dozens of Montgomery County fire and rescue crews checked in and packed up as they prepared to head south to help with the Hurricane Matthew response.

These men and women are part of Maryland Task Force 1, an Urban Search and Rescue Team activated by FEMA on Thursday to help the southern states respond to the massive storm. There are only 28 such FEMA teams in the country, according to Pete Piringer, a spokesperson for Montgomery County fire and rescue service.

In addition to the search and rescue team members, Piringer said, Montgomery County is sending incident support team members and hazardous materials specialists at the request of FEMA. They are accompanied by a civilian physician and K9 handlers. They left Montgomery County in a caravan of vehicles, including tractor trailers packed with equipment and supplies.

“These firefighters bring a whole wealth of resources on many levels,” said Piringer, noting that the paramedics and firefighters who are members of this team are highly trained.

“They bring a lot of technical expertise: technical rescue, collapse rescue, high angle rescue, water rescue,” said Piringer, who added that they are also very self sufficient.

The crews packed everything they might need for ten to 14 days. That includes tents for accommodations, food and medicine.

The Montgomery County firefighters were expected to arrive at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Georgia early Friday morning but they have been rerouted to Columbia, South Carolina.

Update – MDTF-1 FEMA Urban Search & Rescue (USAR) Team recd orders to relocate/stage in Columbia, SC for Hurricane Matthew deployment pic.twitter.com/Jw5492fS0P

— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) October 7, 2016

Several dozen #MoCo firefighters are being activated by FEMA as part of Urban Rescue Search Team – packing up at a warehouse in Rockville. pic.twitter.com/CQXaUJv1OL

— Sonya Burke (@SonyaNBurke) October 6, 2016

.@mcfrsPIO tells us more about #MoCo Urban Search & Rescue Team activated today by FEMA to help w Hurricane Matthew. @mymcmedia pic.twitter.com/jTtpMUfPww

— Sonya Burke (@SonyaNBurke) October 6, 2016

MDTF-1 Urban Search & Rescue (Type3)Team, 50 strong, headed for Hurricane Matthew – Safe Travels & Good Luck pic.twitter.com/pSHBOMkd4X

— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) October 6, 2016

Safe Travels MDTF-1 Urban Search & Rescue, caravan ‘hitting the road’ for Ga, Thoughts & Prayers to all those impacted by Hurricane Matthew pic.twitter.com/8AU0yvKddm

— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) October 6, 2016

In addition to MDTF-1 USAR, MCFRS has deployed a HEPP team (HazMat Equipment Push Pack) which also includes several MCFRS HazMat technicians pic.twitter.com/0qVtKYya13

— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) October 6, 2016

Two MCFRS groups deploying to southern states, incl MDTF-1 Urban Search & Rescue, as well as support staff for IST (Incident Support Team) pic.twitter.com/AnRYQ9uKKr

— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) October 6, 2016

About Sonya Burke

Sonya Burke is the Multimedia Manager at Montgomery Community Media (MCM). You can email story ideas at sburke@mymcmedia.org or reach her on Twitter @SonyaNBurke.

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