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NYPD, FDNY heroes team up for hurricane rescue
FEMA is sending New York’s Bravest and Finest down South to help assist with Hurricane Matthew relief efforts.
Members of the NYPD, FDNY and NYC Emergency Management were deployed Thursday night to the Bible Belt as part of the agency’s local Urban Search and Rescue Task Force, according to officials.
“Depending on what happens on the coast, whether it be in Florida, South Carolina or in Georgia, they’ll probably deploy our teams out as needed in those cities and states,” FDNY Battalion Chief Joseph Downey said at a press conference.
“We’re going to go out with a 45-member team. Our primary mission down there is going to be water operations,” he said. “We carry four hard-bottom boats, two inflatable boats and our rescue specialists are all swift water trained.”
Downey, who is the leader of New York Task Force-1, was joined by 21 members of the NYPD as they left for Georgia on Thursday.
According to fire officials, the group is fully self-sufficient and is made up of Firefighters, EMS members and NYPD Emergency Services Unit, Communications and K-9 Officers.
Facebook users living in Georgia and other areas expected to be affected by the storm showered them with well-wishes upon learning of their efforts.
“Thanks guys for coming down to help,” wrote Shaun Culpepper. “Our barrier islands in Georgia are going to be destroyed…I’m the only Swiftwater Rescue Tech in Glynn County and I volunteer at the department. I’m hoping that neither of us are needed!”
Sarah Pellicio, a South Carolina resident residing in Charleston, wrote: “From an sc firefighter, Thank you all. Keep praying for everyone in the path and stay safe.”



