A Maryland rescue squad is responding to the call for help following deadly floods in West Virginia.
On Sunday night, Wheaton Volunteer Fire Department Chief Mark Dempsey received an email from first responders in Clay County, West Virginia.
“We know equipment was lost,” Dempsey said. “We know they were struggling replacing that equipment. The goal is to be there when you're needed.”
Dempsey said two ambulances in Clay County were nearly swallowed up by flood water, and they are out of service. His unit happened to have an ambulance that was just replaced with a new one.
His team cleaned up the unit, making sure it's in perfect condition, so they can donate it to the first responders in Clay County.
“We went ahead and decided to send it with what came with the unit,” Dempsey said.
Dempsey said while he's never been in a situation like the first responders in West Virginia, he does know what it's like to run a department with limited resources. He said he's grateful to be in a position to help.
Local
Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
“I expect it will be in service and running calls Wednesday or Thursday,” he said.
The chief said Wednesday at 6 a.m., the ambulance will be driven to West Virginia, where the keys will be handed off to the first responders in Clay County.
