Florida A&M University (FAMU) hosted Urban Search & Rescue Task Force 8 during Hurricane Debby recovery operations.
On Monday, August 5, FAMU Emergency Management Executive Director Ashley Davis received a call from the City of Tallahassee Emergency Management seeking shelter for Urban Search & Rescue Task Force 8, for that evening. The team was stranded in Perry, Florida, amidst the ongoing recovery operations for Hurricane Debby’s impacts on Florida and needed a place to rest overnight.
The University administration provided approval to proceed and the Al Lawson Center gymnasium was opened to provide the necessary overnight rest for 115 team members from Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, and Mississippi before they deployed back into the field on Tuesday.
“This rapid response underscores our commitment to supporting our community and state during times of need,” Davis said.
The National Urban Search & Rescue (US&R) Response System, established by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), organizes federal, state, and local emergency response teams into integrated federal disaster response task forces. FEMA and Florida’s State Emergency Response Team can deploy US&R task forces to provide critical assistance during major disasters such as Hurricane Debby.
Task Force 8 Chief Robert Graff was thankful for the assistance.
“The men and women of the Urban Search and Rescue system appreciate the solid partnerships gained through the response to Hurricane Debby,” Graff said. “Our partner, FAMU, made us feel welcome and provided much needed shelter to rest after performing those rescue efforts.”