Washington state first responders travel east to aid hurricane survivors

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, a team of about 80 Washington state first responders has traveled east to help with recovery efforts. The group is also preparing to provide aid related to incoming Hurricane Milton, a category 4 hurricane expected to make landfall in Florida on Wednesday night.

Jody Ferguson, director of Pierce County Emergency Management and chief of Washington Task Force 1, said the team is currently stationed in Atlanta and includes fire department employees, hospital workers, search and rescue experts, and law enforcement officials, among other professionals.

“The immediate focus is saving lives. So the search and rescue mission will be first and foremost… finding survivors and getting them the medical attention and any support that they need,” Ferguson said.

RELATED: Washington sends Task Force 1 to Hawaii in wake of wildfires

The task force also has structural engineers and canine teams to help search for survivors. The team’s composition is such that it can offer both broad and highly specialized rescue support, Ferguson added.

“For example, if FEMA just wanted us to focus on water rescue, we could send out [a specialized team] that would be 35 people with more precise experience that they need for whatever mission,” she said.

According to its website, Washington Task Force 1 was established in 1991 and includes over 200 members from more than 30 agencies across Seattle, King County, and Pierce County. The team was last deployed to Maui in 2023 in response to the Lahaina wildfires.