SDFD task force members injured in crash on way to NC for Hurricane Helene relief efforts
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Members of a San Diego search and rescue task force were involved in a serious accident while heading to North Carolina to help with Hurricane Helene relief efforts, the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department confirmed Sunday.
The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department's US&R Task Force 8 team was deployed Friday to Charlotte, North Carolina to help in the aftermath of the hurricane that has killed nearly 100 people, left millions without power and trapped families in floodwaters.
SDFD Assistant Chief James Gaboury and City of San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria in a press conference Sunday morning said three SDFD members were seriously injured in a two-vehicle crash at 2:45 a.m. (CST) Sunday on East Highway 20 near the border of Texas and Louisiana.
All three task force members — a battalion chief and two captains — were flown by air ambulance to Louisiana State University Hospital in Shreveport, Louisiana. The SDFD assistant chief Sunday morning said their conditions range from moderate to critical.
San Diego Fire-Rescue sends water rescue team to NC for Hurricane Helene
The fire-rescue department has not yet identified the victims, pending family notifications.
The Urban Search & Rescue California Task Force 8 Type III water rescue team includes 32 team members from SDFD, with the others from Carlsbad, Chula Vista, El Cajon, La Mesa, Rancho Santa Fe, San Marcos and Santee fire departments, also an emergency room doctor, two firefighters from Riverside Fire Department (members of USAR CA-TF6), one civilian structural engineer and one City of San Diego Fleet Services mechanic.
After the early morning crash, the rest of the task force are now in Waskom, Texas, awaiting orders as the fire-rescue department works with FEMA to determine if their help is still needed. SDFD Fire Chief Robert Logan and Deputy Chief Steve Lozano are heading to Shreveport, Louisiana to be with the injured firefighters and the rest of the task force.
"The news of this crash is devastating. We are doing everything we can to offer support to our department and those team members and their families who were part of this deployment," said Assistant Chief Gaboury.
Supplies, emergency workers rush to North Carolina as Southeast digs out from Helene
During the press conference, Assistant Chief Gaboury on Sunday said Task Force 8 has been deployed to many natural disasters over the years and this is the first time task force members have been involved in a serious accident.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said, in part, "It's times like these that I ask San Diegans to remember the tremendous sacrifices that we ask of our first responders. These are individuals who will go toward danger while the rest of us step away. They put themselves in harms way to protect us, we appreciate them all the time, but particularly when tragedies like this happen."
Assistant Chief Gaboury and Mayor Gloria said they will continue to keep the public informed on the condition of the firefighters.
This story is developing. Check back for updates.
