Miami First Responders In Puerto Rico

MIAMI, FL — Having weathered Harvey then Irma, Miami first responders are now in Puerto Rico for Hurricane Maria. Teams from both Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and Miami Fire Rescue were awaiting the storm's arrival early Wednesday. The teams bring search and rescue as well as emergency medical capabilities to the area.

Miami-Dade first responders from Florida Task Force-1 will be joined by Miami Fire Rescue's Florida Task Force-2 in helping the island recover from whatever devastation the powerful hurricane may bring.

Both teams have the capability to rescue trapped victims from various types of collapsed structures. The teams consist of firefighters, paramedics, search dogs, engineers, technical rescue specialists and a medical personnel, according to Erika Benitez of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and Capt. Ignatious Carroll of Miami Fire Rescue. (For more hurricane news or local news from Florida, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts and newsletters from Miami Patch, and click here to find your local Florida Patch. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

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Benitez said the Miami-Dade team will be bringing 5o,000 tons of equipment that allows first responders to:

• Conduct physical search and rescue operations in damaged/collapsed structures, flooded areas, and transportation accident scenes.
• Provide emergency medical care at disaster sites for trapped victims and task force members.
• Carry out reconnaissance duties to assess damage and determine needs, then use that information to provide feedback to all agencies involved.
• Provide disaster communications support using state-of-the-art satellite systems.
• Conduct hazardous materials surveys/evaluations of affected areas.
• Assist in stabilizing damaged structures, including shoring and cribbing operations.

Both teams have recently returned from missions in Houston and Key West in the aftermath of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

Watch below as first responders from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue prepare for Hurricane Maria:

Photo courtesy Miami Fire Rescue. Video courtesy Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.