ROCKVILLE: Maryland’s elite urban search-and-rescue team from Montgomery County is headed south as a strengthening tropical system takes aim at the Carolinas.
Officials said Maryland Task Force 1 (MD-TF1) received federal activation orders and will deploy early Sunday equipped for swift-water rescues. The 45-member unit, which draws firefighters and rescue specialists from across the state, is part of the FEMA National Urban Search & Rescue Response System.
MD-TF1 will travel to North Carolina to join Ohio Task Force 1 (OH-TF1), where both teams will stage and wait for the arrival of Tropical Depression Nine (TD9). The storm, which forecasters expect could strengthen into a hurricane before landfall, is projected to bring heavy rain and life-threatening flooding to parts of the southeastern coast.
Two additional FEMA task forces—Indiana Task Force 1 (IN-TF1) and Tennessee Task Force 1 (TN-TF1)—are deploying in similar configurations. They will stage in South Carolina to provide additional water-rescue capabilities and rapid response once the storm hits.
In addition to swift-water rescue boats, the Maryland Task Force will deploy three specialized K-9 rescue dogs.
The Maryland teams are trained to conduct complex rescues in flooded neighborhoods and disaster zones, and can be repositioned quickly as forecasts change.
FEMA officials said the deployment is to ensure that proper resources are in place to assist local authorities across the Carolinas should TD9 intensify or shift course in the coming days.
