Lexington, Ky. – Three firefighters from the Lexington Fire Department are currently engaged in hurricane relief efforts across multiple states. These responders are members of Ohio Task Force One, a federal FEMA team that specializes in disaster response.
The team originally mobilized to assist Florida ahead of Hurricane Helene. However, due to changing circumstances, they have since been sent to North Carolina, eastern Tennessee, and are now heading back south to Orlando, Florida in response to the emerging Hurricane Milton.
According to Battalion Chief Chris Ward, the team’s reassignment was necessary as Hurricane Milton began to develop in the Gulf of Mexico. “They decided they’d move task force one back down to Orlando,” said Ward. The firefighters have been part of varying missions over the last few weeks, focusing primarily on damage assessment and search operations.
As of Thursday morning, the firefighters had not received specific assignments but may be involved in targeted searches in the upcoming days, according to Ward. Their recent activities included wide-area searches and efforts to locate displaced individuals in the affected areas.
Typically, FEMA disaster teams are deployed for a maximum of 14 days. However, due to overlapping emergencies, this group has extended their mission duration. While they have had downtime to rest and recuperate, as the situation continues to evolve, there is a growing hope among them to return home soon.
“Let’s hope nothing else spins up in the Atlantic. We’re almost at the end of hurricane season,” Ward noted, emphasizing the unpredictability of the current disaster response landscape.
The ongoing commitment of these Lexington firefighters underscores the critical role local responders play in national disaster efforts, showcasing their readiness to assist communities in need during challenging times.
