DeSoto County Firefighters Assisting With Emergency Efforts With Hurricane Florence
Eight local firefighters from DeSoto County are assisting in the emergency efforts with Hurricane Florence.
The Members of Mississippi Task Force are staging in Pulaski County Virginia ready to respond to any need for swift water rescue.
“We’re looking at assisting with flash flooded areas,” Task Force One leader and DeSoto County EMS Director, Chris Olson
said. “ It’s very mountainous in this area and all the valleys and gorges that come through it.”
As of Saturday morning heavy rain is still coming down and water is rising.
“At this point all we can do monitor the weather and make sure all of our guys and equipment are ready to go”.said, Mike Hancock Walls Fire Chief.
The Virginia Department of Emergency Management requested the swift water rescue team from Mississippi to the new river valley to assist in case of an emergency.
A total of 42 emergency responders from Mississippi make up the Mississippi Task Force in Virginia.
They hope their skills aren’t needed but they’re ready help wherever they’re called.
“The compassion that these guys have drives them to do the training that gives them the ability to get to the level they are,” Olson said. “We are here to help people and save lives.”
At this point they have no idea how long they will be in Virginia but they add ” We are here as long as they need us”.
Editors Note: Keep these guys and the residents of east coast in your prayers..
