The first batch of Kansas volunteer responders to the hurricane-ravaged east coast was due back in the state Tuesday, and another already deployed Sunday.
A statement from the Kansas Fire Marshal’s office today outlined the assistance volunteer emergency responders from the Sunflower State rendered to hurricane victims.
“Kansas Task Force 1 was demobilized the morning of Oct. 7, 2024, and began their journey back to Kansas,” a KFM Facebook post said. “Their last full day in Burnsville, North Carolina, KS-TF1 continued to support the local community and marking search areas for future follow up. The search and rescue efforts by KS-TF1 in North Carolina and Florida were a valuable and key part of the recovery for the local communities. Take time to remember those communities dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The foundation laid by all the state task forces immediately after Hurricane Helene will give the local communities like Burnsville a solid base to move forward. KS-TF1 will be arriving back home in Kansas sometime Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024
Kansas Task Force 1 focused their search and rescue efforts in hilly, rough terrain. They completed an extensive ground search up the mountain to the river. Part of their task was to identify and mark targets for further search and rescue efforts. The team was tasked with searching debris piles from the flood waters and mud slides.
“They encountered some natural wildlife during their assignment, something we usually only see in the zoo in Kansas, a couple of large and furry bears,” the statement said.
KS-TF1 continued to work with the National Guard from Texas and New York, along with local sheriff agencies and a few other states working at the same command post.
Kansas Fire Marshal photo
The team got a little R&R Saturday evneing to watch the Royals and Yankees playoff game back at the Base of Operations.
In preparation of Hurricane Milton, Kansas Task Force 2 was deployed on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, to Florida. Strategic planning by KS-TF1, KS-TF2 and the Emergency Response Division of the Kansas State Fire Marshal took place to organize a rendezvous point where the demobilizing KS-TF1 and deploying KS-TF2 could meet up, exchange personnel, equipment and assets, and debrief the strategies that worked well in the swift water search and rescue efforts that originally took place in Florida. KS-TF2 will be arriving at their northern staging area west of Jacksonville, Florida, the morning of Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024.
Kansas Fire Marshal photo
“The KSFM is so proud of KS-TF1 and KS-TF2 for the commitment and sacrifice that each member has made to respond. The Kansas State Fire Marshal Search and Rescue Program exists because of the support of our local hosting and participating agencies. The agencies and their local jurisdictions make it possible for Kansas to step up in this time of need and help the KSFM with our enduring efforts to protect the lives and property of not only Kansans, but also those communities in need at times like this.”
Dane Hicks is a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism and the United States Marine Corps Officer Candidate School at Quantico, VA. He is the author of novels "The Skinning Tree" and "A Whisper For Help." As publisher of the Anderson County Review in Garnett, KS., he is a recipient of the Kansas Press Association's Boyd Community Service Award as well as more than 60 awards for excellence in news, editorial and photography.
