Hurricane Response Efforts by WFCA Member Departments

In this week's episode of Fire Headlines, host Samantha Didion is joined by Chief Ken Kehmna and Chief Kim Zagaris (also known as Chief Z), WFCA Senior Operations Advisor. They delve into the vital contributions of Western Fire Chiefs Association (WFCA) member departments to hurricane response efforts, particularly in light of the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene, which has claimed nearly 300 lives.

Chief Zagaris provides a detailed overview of the urban search and rescue (USAR) teams that have been deployed to assist with hurricane recovery. These teams, managed in conjunction with FEMA, include members from fire agencies across several states, such as California, Utah, Nevada, and Washington. Departments like Los Angeles City and County Fire, Orange County Fire Authority, and others contribute highly trained personnel and specialized equipment for search and rescue operations, particularly in challenging conditions such as swift water environments and structural collapses.