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The two South Florida Urban Search and Rescue teams that were deployed to the Florida Panhandle for Hurricane Isaias have returned to South Florida.
Florida Task Force One and Two are back with their loved ones in South Florida after assisting crews in the aftermath of Hurricane Isaias.
“We don’t want anyone to get hurt and to have them come back, be with their loved ones and being safe is a good thing,” said Task Force leader Chief Scott Dean.
Florida Task Force One sent 88 members and four K-9 teams from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue trained for search-and-rescue and high-water operations.
Florida Task Force Two, led by City of Miami Fire Rescue, assisted in floodwater evacuations, searches and air missions in Pensacola. Members boarded four UH-60 Black Hawks and worked with the Florida Army National Guard to search damaged areas from above.
“We’re the best trained; we train every day and they know that when they call us, we’re ready to go,” said City of Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins.
Isaias made landfall near Destin as a Category 2, Friday night, leaving a stretch of destruction across the Gulf Coast, as homes were shredded by inches of rain, debris and winds as high as 110 mph that even spawned tornadoes in some areas.
Dean said crews immediately hit the ground not long after.
“We had a quick response for rest of 20 members that went down range from where we were into the eye of the storm, which was in Ocean City. We had other teams that went the next morning and did recon of the Blackhawk helicopters down the coastline to see if there was any damage from the air. We had another team that also did recon in a different area of the state,” said Dean
Members of the K-9 team recounted some of the crucial work their furry partners assisted with.
“It’s fun for them, it’s life-and-death rescues for these rescuers,” said K-9 Search Specialist Roger Picard.
The extra sets of eyes on the land and in the sky allowed first responders to cover more ground.
“Two dogs went up in a helicopter with the National Guard and their handlers and they were able to patrol some of the barrier islands in the event that there was something missed by the local fire or emergency services,” said Picard.
It’s essential canine assistance that, Picard said, was life-saving.
“You can’t go through those layers fast enough to save a life. You can use these tools, these guys, it’s a game of hide-and-go-seek to them,” said Picard.
Members of Task Force One also spoke with 7News about the importance of their team after returning home.
“I think it was just another exercise on how Florida gets it right for the storms and how experience has taught us that being proactive and prepared provides the best outcomes,” said Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Jason Richard.
Upon returning back to South Florida, both task forces immediately got to work hosing down all the equipment that was used in their trip to keep it in good shape and prepared for their next deployment.
Above all else, task force members who spoke with 7News emphasized how they’re just grateful that the aftermath of Hurricane Isaias was not worse.
