Hurricane Florence: MDFR Heads To South Carolina

DORAL, FL — Miami-Dade Fire Rescue's 80-person Urban Search and Rescue Team FLTF-1 has been activated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as Hurricane Florence threatens the Carolinas.

The team was scheduled to deploy to Columbia, South Carolina around dawn on Tuesday, according to Erika Benitez of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue. The team has the capability to rescue trapped victims from various types of collapsed structures. It consists of firefighters, paramedics, search dogs, engineers, technical rescue specialists and medical personnel.

See also: Hurricane Florence: Miami Fire Rescue Prepares Team

"The Urban Search and Rescue Team mission is to respond to natural and man-made disasters by providing search and rescue support, medical support, communications and damage assessment," Benitez said, adding that the team is also trained to coordinate the distribution of relief supplies.

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The team was also deployed in the case of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria. Here is a more detailed breakdown of capabilities:

• Conduct physical search and rescue operations in damaged/collapsed structures and transportation accidents.
• Provide emergency medical care at disaster sites for trapped victims and task force members.
• Carry out reconnaissance duties to assess damage and determine needs, then use that information to provide feedback to all agencies involved.
• Provide disaster communications support using state-of-the-art satellite systems.
• Conduct hazardous materials survey/evaluations of affected areas.
• Assist in stabilizing damaged structures, including shoring and cribbing operations as required.

Members of the Urban Search and Rescue Team FLTF-1 prepare ahead of Hurricane Maria in 2017. Photo courtesy Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.