Kansas water rescue team being sent to North Carolina after Helene

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – The Kansas swift water search and rescue team is heading to North Carolina to assist with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

The team had been deployed to Florida on Sept. 24 and was released from their assignment.

“Kansas Task Force 1 has worked tirelessly in Florida assisting with the response to Hurricane Helene,” Kansas Fire Marshal Mark Engholm said. “Their search and rescue training has prepared them to provide professional and crucial support. After some much-needed rest, the team is headed to North Carolina to continue their search and rescue efforts.”

Kansas Task Force 1 consists of personnel 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.

They will work in North Carolina to search for and rescue individuals, provide basic life support medical care, transport people and animals to the nearest location for secondary air or land transport, provide shore-based and boat-based water rescue, provide animal rescues, and support helicopter and urban search and rescue in water environments.

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