NEW ORLEANS — Urban search and rescue and water rescue teams from across the south are staging outside Tallahassee as Florida braces for impacts from a monster storm, Hurricane Milton which is barreling toward the Tampa Bay area.
St. Bernard Fire Chief Earl Borden is leading Louisiana Task Force One, made up of first responders from St. Bernard and Lafourche Parishes along with the New Orleans, Kenner and Hammond Fire Departments.
They are highly specialized and trained firefighters and medics.
“They are trained in structure collapse, trench rescue, swift water rescue, so we have equipment and supplies pretty much for any situation that may arise from the hurricane aftermath,” Borden said.
There is also a second Louisiana task force from the Baton Rouge and Shreveport areas.
New Orleans Fire Chief Roman Nelson says his department sent boats and fire personnel.
“It’s important for us, especially living in Louisiana where we’ve had to rely on our neighbors so many times for us to contribute,” Nelson said. “Florida, they’re not sure what they’re going to need right now.”
Chief Borden said it’s all about helping people and families.
“We are anticipating an impact that may bring storm surge, so we may have flooding,” Borden said. “There’s always a fear of major impact and potentially the loss of life, obviously the loss of people’s communities.”
The Louisiana task forces are now waiting on orders whether to head south to the Orlando area. That would put them in position to respond quicker after Milton makes landfall.
“It’s a great chance for us to pay it back, pay it forward, however, you want to look at it, just to help our neighbors who help us when we need it,” Nelson said.
The Louisiana urban search and rescue teams are now deployed to Florida for at least the next ten days.
Kansas, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Alabama and Texas have also sent first responders to Florida in advance of Hurricane Milton.
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