California is stepping up to provide support in the face of natural disasters, with over 140 firefighters and support personnel from the state heading to Florida to assist with the response to Hurricane Milton. This deployment comes as part of a broader effort to aid in disaster relief, with California crews already stationed in the South to respond to Hurricane Helene.
Governor Gavin Newsom expressed solidarity with those affected by Hurricane Helene, stating, 'California stands with all those who have lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods in the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Helene.' As Hurricane Milton approaches landfall, California is mobilizing additional specialized resources to bolster emergency response and recovery efforts.
On October 5th, the Los Angeles County Fire Department's California Task Force 2 (CA-TF2) was activated as a Type III FEMA team in response to Tropical Cyclone Milton. This Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team comprises 45 members, with 26 members embarking on a journey across the country to Atlanta, Georgia, on Saturday to transport essential equipment. The remaining team members flew out later to join the deployment.
The task force members are drawn from the Los Angeles City Fire Department, Los Angeles County Fire Department, and Menlo Park Fire Protection District. They bring specialized training in structural collapse and swift water and flood environments, positioning them to provide critical assistance in the hurricane-affected areas.
