California first responders unite to help Hurricane Helene victims

SACRAMENTO — As the aftermath of Hurricane Helene unfolds, California's first responders are stepping up to help those affected in Florida.

Approximately 120 first responders from across the Golden State, including Sacramento, are helping in various roles. Sacramento is teaming up with other federal response members from across the nation in a management position.

Larry Collins, deputy chief of Special Ops HazMat with the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), emphasized the importance of this nationwide response, stating: "We go there because it's about neighbor helping neighbor. They would help us if we had a big disaster."

It's part of a plan that launched in the 90s, with rotational system of emergency responders organized to go where they are needed most. Collins calls this mutual aid is essential.

"When it happens here in California and we need the help, we can rely on these other 20 urban search and rescue teams from other states to help us," Collins said.

Deployed on Friday were crews from Southern California including from Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside, and San Diego.

Sacramento personnel were pre-positioned on Tuesday, driving to Orlando to be ready to respond as the weather conditions and storm track changed.

"We're coordinating the movement of all these search and rescue and swift water assets," Collins explained. "It's intense. They're working in the rain. They are in the darkness, in some cases. They have trees falling down power lines falling down."

The public information officer deployed with the Sacramento crew is Charlie Lubowicki, of the FEMA US&R Incident Support Team. He explained the importance of everyone bringing their own expertise to the table during times like this.

"It's a testament to the system that has been built here in the United States," Lubowicki said. "Those who go to wildfires and are in these large dynamic events all the time, and so they have a very special skill set that when they come out east, they are able to bring to the planning process."

Federal support and resources

A crucial element of this operation is the backing provided by FEMA, which will reimburse California for the costs associated with sending these teams, given that this is a federally declared disaster. This support enables the state to deploy its resources without jeopardizing local emergency response capabilities.

Officials have reassured the public that despite the ongoing wildfire season, California maintains a robust set of resources ready for "no notice emergencies," such as earthquakes. The state's ability to respond to local emergencies remains unaffected by its commitments to national disaster relief.