HOLLY, Mich. – The Michigan Task Force 1 headed to Florida Sunday morning with $9 million worth of equipment to help with Hurricane Irma rescue efforts.
A crew of 45 personnel from around Michigan left the mobilization center in Holly. The team includes disaster certified doctors, heavy equipment operators and structural engineers.
The task force, which was created several years ago and is funded by all levels of government, will help local fire departments during technical rescues. Hurricane Irma is the first out-of-state deployment for the task force.
"We knew were going to be deployed, but didn't know when so there was lot of anxious moments leading up to today," program manager Dave McIntyre said.
The team includes personnel from Sterling Heights, Southfield, Garden City, Groveland Township, Oakland Township, North Oakland Fire Authority, Bloomfield Township, Independence Township, Detroit, Northville Township, Dexter Area Fire Authority, Canton, Dearborn, Ann Arbor, Shelby Township, Walker, St. Clair Shores, Livonia, Ferndale, Green Oaks, Eastpointe and Summit fire departments.
The task force will be in Florida for 11 days. The first responders are expected to arrive in Florida on Monday.
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