WA state task force deploying to Hawaii in wake of fires. Here’s its makeup and mission
Members of a Washington state task force that includes specialists from Pierce County are being sent to Hawaii to help with search and rescue after quick-moving wildfires devastated parts of Maui, the county announced Thursday.
The Washington State Task Force 1 FEMA Urban Search and Rescue team consists of 45 emergency specialists from Pierce County, King County and the Seattle Fire Department. A five-person K-9 team is being sent as well.
They will help efforts to save lives and search for survivors on Maui, according to a news release.
President Biden pledged immediate help for Maui survivors through FEMA Wednesday, according to reporting from the Associated Press. Hawaii Gov. Josh Green confirmed 53 deaths, as of Thursday, from fires that blew across the island this week.
The Washington team is equipped and trained to handle search and rescue within collapsed buildings, emergency medical care for survivors, K-9 human remains detection and other emergency services.
Within six hours of receiving orders, the task force can be ready and equipped to deploy, Pierce County said in a news release Thursday.
The statewide task force is made up of 210 members, drawn from 25 agencies, including the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, Seattle Fire Department, South King Fire and Rescue, Tacoma Fire Department, among others.
This story was originally published August 10, 2023 at 4:37 PM.
