FLORIDA, Oct. 13, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — Utah Task Force 1, deployed to Tennessee, after Hurricanes Helene, has been demobilized.
That means members can go home, says a statement issued Saturday by the Unified Fire Department. Some may already be back in Utah.
“UT-TF1 has successfully completed their missions for Hurricane Helene and received their demobilization orders,” the statement says. “They have started their journey home. We wish the team safe travels and look forward to your safe homecoming.”
A statement issued Friday said the Task Force was briefly deployed to Florida after Hurricane Milton.
“In preparation, FEMA Urban Search and Rescue teams transitioned from recovery missions to life-saving efforts, prepositioning teams and equipment in southern Georgia to await the storm’s passage,” the earlier statement says.
“Once conditions stabilized, our Utah team deployed to Florida, ready to support rescue operations. Following assessments by local and federal teams, it was determined that early evacuations and lower storm surge levels resulted in less severe impacts in the operational area, allowing many teams to demobilize.”
Utah Task Force 1 thanked those it had worked with.
“Over the past two weeks, we have been honored to work alongside dedicated personnel from across the U.S. — local, state, federal, and tribal — united in our mission to assist our fellow citizens. It is a privilege to serve the communities of both Tennessee and Florida during this challenging time.”
Below, see some photos shared from the group’s work in Tennessee.
