Maryland Search And Rescue Team Helps FEMA With Hurricane Dorian

ROCKVILLE, MD — As Hurricane Dorian churns through the Atlantic, a Maryland crew is in Florida ready to assist the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The team of urban search and rescue personnel left Friday, Aug. 30, and was in Florida by the time the hurricane made landfall in the Bahamas Sunday, Sept. 1.

Called Maryland Task Force 1 (MD-TF1), the Urban Search & Rescue Team is one of 28 that FEMA has assembled nationwide, of which 16 were deployed to help with the response to the hurricane.

MD-TF1 consists of 80 to 85 people, Montgomery County Fire Chief Scott Goldstein said.

The group specializes in heavy concrete rescue and light-weight collapse, such as wood buildings that may be impacted by hurricane-force winds and floodwaters, he said. Doctors and structural engineers are among those on the team.

Maryland Task Force 1, Urban Search & Rescue Team, under the command of FEMA Florida US&R Incident Support Team, indicate Plans are constantly updated & put in place to prepare for the latest storm track..currently staging w/ other US&R resources in Florida - MD-TF1 departed 8/30 pic.twitter.com/7mYI0jdm3p
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) September 2, 2019

About 20 vehicles left from Rockville before sunset Friday in a caravan that included five or six pickup trucks with boats, five 15-passenger vans, four tractor-trailers, two box trucks, two motor coaches, ATVs and box trucks with forklifts, according to Goldstein.

"The opportunity to go out and help another community in the time of need is ... the drive and passion of all of our first responders — being able to help," Goldstein said.

The group is expected to be on the mission helping with the hurricane for 10 to 14 days.

"As folks are taking care of others, make sure you are ready," Goldstein advised. "Watch your warnings and your circumstances."

Hurricane Dorian will not likely affect Maryland until late this week, the Maryland Emergency Management Agency said in a statement Monday, Sept. 2.

"Hurricane Dorian is predicted to move very slowly over the next few days," the agency said. "If it were to affect Maryland, that likely would not happen until late this week. Now is the time to make sure you have a disaster supply kit and an emergency plan. Follow trusted local weather forecasts."

SEE ALSO:

• Hurricane Dorian Makes Landfall
• Hurricane Dorian: When It Could Hit Maryland