Raleigh Firefighters Come to the Aid of Western North Carolina

Chief Patrick Marks called the Raleigh Fire Department's deployment to western North Carolina the most significant mission in his 23 years with the department.

"Our team has made several rescues, helped with dozens upon dozens of evacuations," Marks said. "They are helping families, and believe me, it's a big job. It can be emotional, exhausting, and exhilarating."

Marks is here in Raleigh, but he is overseeing the 14 Raleigh firefighters who left for Haywood County just before Hurricane Helene hit. They are part of Task Force 8, one of the state's Urban Search and Rescue team.

Marks talks to the team twice a day via internet, noting cell service is unavailable in some of the remote areas.

In Waynesville and Maggie Valley, Raleigh firefighters helped evacuate residents and their pets. They've conducted several water rescues and searched dozens of structures, going door-to-door to see who needs help.

Marks points out this is what being a community is all about.

"They are hundred of miles away, but these people are still our neighbors," he said. "The next time a hurricane comes through, Raleigh could be the area that gets devastated. The people we are helping today, they wouldn't hesitate to come help us."

*The deployment is expected to last a total of seven days.