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Phoenix Fire disaster response team deployed. Crews to assist with rescue and recovery following hurricane in southeast

The team has previously deployed to assist with Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Ike.
Credit: 12News

PHOENIX — The Phoenix Fire Department is deploying a task force to assist areas impacted by Hurricane Helene. 

The department's Arizona Task Force 1 will depart at 2 p.m. Friday to assist with rescue and recovery operations in the region impacted by the hurricane, according to Phoenix Fire Department.  

The task force is designed to stay in a constant state of readiness to assist with water rescues, technical rescues, emergency paramedicine and the search for human remains. 

According to the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Helene made landfall Thursday night in northeastern Florida and brought with it catastrophic flooding. 

The Associated Press reports that rescue teams are being deployed to Flordia, Georgia and the Carolinas. At least 35 people have died as a result of the storm, according to AP.  

AZ-TF1 has a history of helping in some of the most catastrophic disasters in American history. 

Task force members were deployed to the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, The World Trade Center in 2001, Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and Hurricanes Ike and Gustav in 2008. 

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