OHIO, USA — Ohio Task Force 1 announced Tuesday that it has received activation orders to mobilize to support the state of Florida for an expected hurricane.
The team said it received the activation orders to mobilize as a Type I team to support FEMA Region 4 due to the potential for Tropical Storm Helene to become a major hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico.
The group said the force of 82 members is skilled in various aspects of search and rescue operations, including water rescue and K-9. With over 50 tons of equipment, the team said they deploy as a self-contained, all-hazard response team to support local responders without placing additional demands on local resources.
The team is headed to Orlando for staging but said a specific destination has not yet been determined.
According to Ohio Task Force 1, other teams included in activation are Tennessee Task Force 1, Virginia Task Force 1 and 2, Indiana Task Force 1 and Texas Task Force 1.
Ohio Task Force 1 said the National Hurricane Center expects the storm to intensify into a major hurricane as it approaches the northeastern Gulf Coast on Thursday.