The state of Kansas has sent a team of first responders to Florida to help with rescue efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
Kansas deployed a Type 1 swift water search and rescue team, Kansas Task Force 1, through the Office of the State Fire Marshal to assist the state of Florida and local jurisdictions responding to the storm. The teams left September 24th from Olathe and Wichita.
The Kansas Division of Emergency Management received the request from Florida and the task force was sent as part of an Emergency Management Assistance Compact, which is a multistate, mutual aid agreement that facilitates interstate assistance in response and recovery operations during a disaster.
One Type I swift water/flood rescue teams with hard-bottom, and inflatable boats with personnel will be sent from the Office of the State Fire Marshal, Derby Fire Department, Junction City Fire Department, Manhattan Fire Department, Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center, Olathe Fire Department, Sedgwick County Fire District 1, and the Wichita Fire Department.
