A search and rescue team from the D.C. area is expected to head to Puerto Rico on Monday to help in the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona.
Maryland Task Force 1 includes Fire and EMS members from Howard, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. Thirty-five members of the task force were supposed to arrive a day earlier but could not secure a flight because of the weather. As of Monday afternoon, they were set to leave on a plane chartered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Chief Jonathan Bender said the team is ready to serve and put their training to good use.
“To go out there and help people is a great opportunity to be able to give back,” he told News4.
Maryland Task Force 1 is expecting a 10- to 14-day deployment but may be asked to stay longer if their help is still needed.
The task force is one of 28 across the country that can be deployed by FEMA when there is a natural disaster.
For more information on Maryland Task Force 1, including its previous activations and skill set, go here.
