Firefighters from North Aurora, Sycamore, Naperville, and Lisle Departments were among 45 members of 31 Illinois departments who recently were deployed to assist in Hurricane Ida recovery efforts in Louisiana.
Don Davids of Aurora, president of Wheeling-based Mutual Aid Box Alarm System, said “MABAS received a tasking from the Illinois Emergency Agency Sunday Aug. 29, to provide a 45-member Urban Search and Rescue team to respond to Louisiana to assist with on-going activities from hurricane Ida.
They were expected to return earlier this week.
Tuesday morning this week two engine strike teams left Wheeling for Louisiana.
The third engine team was expected to deploy from downstate Marion Tuesday afternoon. The groups were expected to meet at the junctions of Interstate 55 and 57.
Chief Steve DeJong of Homewood and Chief Randy Deicke of Batavia are then Strike Team leaders.
A strike team is five of the same type of vehicle, fire engine, with a command officer in a vehicle. Each engine should have three or four firefighters on it.
According to Davids, a retired Aurora Fire Department lieutenant, the Illinois team, known as Illinois Task Force 1, worked with similar teams from other states. Firefighters distributed food rations, water, and oxygen tanks to Louisiana residents.
The MABAS team departed from Wheeling in late August after receiving event identification, mission and safety briefings and mobilization assistance. This process ensures the accountability and readiness of personnel and state assets prior to departure. All costs associated with these deployments will be paid for by Louisiana.
Rescue teams work alongside local rescuers to conduct search, rescue, and recovery missions for humans and animals in flooded environments. In addition, the team is capable of providing on-the-spot emergency medical care, emergency transportation for medical necessities and supports helicopter rescue operations in water environments.
Approximately 15 firefighters were part of a second convoy to leave Tuesday, Sept. 7, to supplement Louisiana firefighters, Davids said.
—Al Benson