Statement
Statement from Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich on Sending Maryland Task Force 1 to Hawaii in Response to Deadly Wildfires
For Immediate Release: Wednesday 16 August
Montgomery County's Urban Search and Rescue team today is on its way to assist and will use its training and equipment in this massive recovery effort in Hawaii led by Maui County, the State of Hawaii, and FEMA. Our Montgomery County Urban Search and Rescue team is part of a highly specialized 70-member group known as Maryland Task Force 1. This team is among the best in the country, so it has experience with situations like this. It is my hope that its presence will help bring closure to the families impacted by this terrible tragedy.
Our thoughts go out to the people of Maui County and the people of Hawaii as they deal with this unthinkable event. This assignment will be difficult for all the search and rescue teams that have been deployed. I want to thank them for their unwavering commitment to assist others in their time of need. The search and rescue teams will make sure people in need get the help they deserve.
I commend the Montgomery County Urban Search and Rescue team along with the other first responders who have answered the call for help. They willingly put themselves in harm’s way and often sacrifice time with their families to lend help to others. We support them on this difficult, but important mission.
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Release ID: 23-020