In the wake of the devastating Hurricane Helene, California has answered the call for aid to assist the affected states. Firefighters and support personnel are conducting wide area search operations in adverse flooding and flood/mud debris conditions. At Governor Gavin Newsom’s direction, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) has closely coordinated with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide all needed resources.
A total of 172 Incident Support Team (IST) and Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) individuals have been sent from California/FEMA US&R Task Forces (TF) 1, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 from Los Angeles, Oakland, Orange County, Riverside, Sacramento and San Diego to bolster emergency response efforts.
- 12 California/FEMA US&R IST members have been based in Orlando, Florida and conducting various field assignments in multiple affected states.
- 91 members of US&R CA-TF 5 and 6 are near Fountain Inn and Anderson, South Carolina conducting wide area search operations in adverse flood/mud debris conditions.
- 18 swiftwater members of US&R CA-TF 1 from the Los Angeles Fire Department is in Western North Carolina conducting wide area search operations in adverse flood conditions.
Members of US&R CA-TF 8 remain in Shreveport, Louisiana following a serious vehicle incident. These deployments have no impact on California’s emergency response and firefighting capabilities.
“We are deeply grateful to the firefighters and support personnel who have stepped up to assist in disaster response out of state. Their bravery and dedication in answering the call to serve, even beyond our borders, reflect their extraordinary commitment to protecting lives and communities. We thank them for their selfless service,” said Cal OES Director Nancy Ward.
As the situation continues to evolve, California remains committed to providing additional support needed for disaster relief efforts.
Previously, California has deployed aid to Texas in July and Georgia in August. In the past two years, California has also deployed firefighters to New Mexico, Hawaii, Oregon and Montana.