SACRAMENTO – As Tropical Storm Helene is expected to strengthen into a hurricane as it moves toward Florida’s Panhandle, Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the deployment of California firefighters to assist in staffing a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Incident Support Team to Orlando, Florida.
In close coordination with FEMA, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) is immediately deploying seven firefighters from California’s Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Task Force Incident Support Team. The deployment has no impact on California’s emergency response and firefighting capabilities.
“California stands ready to help assist where needed, even as we face ongoing wildfires in our state. This storm is dangerous and has the potential to produce heavy rainfall, storm surge and strong winds. We are glad to lend a helping hand to those in Helene’s path.” – Governor Gavin Newsom
The Incident Support Team provides a group of highly qualified specialists to support local officials with technical assistance, management and coordination of US&R resources.
“This is a great example of how state-to-state cooperation works. California’s deployment of these specialized US&R firefighters ahead of the storm will allow for better emergency defenses,” said Cal OES Director Nancy Ward.
The specialized team members deployed to Florida come from California US&R Task Forces 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 from Oakland, Orange County, Riverside, Sacramento and San Diego.
This deployment builds on California’s continued efforts to aid other states during emergencies. In July, Governor Newsom deployed a similar Incident Support Team to Texas to assist in responding to Tropical Storm Beryl. In the past two years, California has also deployed firefighters to New Mexico, Hawaii, Oregon and Montana.