The Office of the Governor of the State of California
10/07/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/07/2024 18:15
California deploys Urban Search and Rescue Task Force teams ahead of Hurricane Milton
Oct 7, 2024
California deploys Urban Search and Rescue Task Force teams ahead of Hurricane Milton
In total, California has deployed 284 highly specialized personnel to support hurricane response efforts in recent weeks
SACRAMENTO - With Hurricane Milton expected to make landfall in Florida this week as a Category 5 hurricane, Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the deployment of 144 firefighters and ground support personnel from three California Urban Search and Rescue Task Force teams to assist with incident management, emergency operations and search and rescue efforts.
This incoming aid is in addition to California Urban Search and Rescue resources recently deployed to support the response to Hurricane Helene, including 140 firefighters and support personnel from California/FEMA US&R Task Forces 5 and 6 from the Orange County Fire Authority and Riverside Fire Department, and California Swiftwater Task Force 1 from the Los Angeles Fire Department.
In close coordination with FEMA, the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) is now deploying Task Force members from the Los Angeles City Fire Department, Los Angeles County Fire Department and Menlo Park Fire Protection District to support the Hurricane Milton response. These highly specialized personnel are trained in structural collapse and swift water/flood environments and are expected to arrive in Georgia in the coming days to stage before being dispatched.
The deployment has no impact on California's emergency response and firefighting capabilities.
"California stands with all those who have lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods in the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Helene. As Hurricane Milton approaches landfall, California is sending additional specialized resources to support critical emergency response and recovery efforts."
Governor Gavin Newsom
"Cal OES is proud to deploy highly-skilled teams to be ready to help those in need as Hurricane Milton heads toward the U.S.," said Cal OES Director Nancy Ward. "These search and rescue professionals have the training needed to navigate extreme environments and assist in the effort to preserve life and property."
Last month, Governor Newsom deployed California support to Florida to bolster the response to Hurricane Helene. California also sent aid to Texas in July and Georgia in August in response to tropical storms. In the past two years, California has also deployed firefighters to New Mexico, Hawaii, Oregon and Montana.
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