Mobile, Ala. — In the wake of Hurricane Helene’s destructive path and its ensuing heavy rains, members of Alabama’s Task Force One (AL-TF1) Urban Search and Rescue Team (USAR/US&R) will mobilize this afternoon, Friday, September 27, 2024. The crew will leave from Mobile today and transport water rescue assets, gear, supplies, tools, and other necessary equipment where needed.

The Type 1 swift water team will have 18 members, comprised of 16 MFRD personnel (field operatives and staff), and two members from Mobile County Communications District. The crew is responding after North Carolina requested aid.

Alabama Task Force One is a self-sustained team, specializing in search and rescue, technical rescue, water rescue, trench operations, structural collapse operations, and more. The team will deploy from Mobile on Friday afternoon and head toward North Carolina, where they will be on standby awaiting orders for aid.

The Mobile Fire-Rescue Department is honored to be able to provide aid in any form, as we empathize with communities experiencing natural disasters.