SPRINGFIELD, IL (Chambana Today) – A specialized Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team from Illinois is heading to Texas to assist with emergency response efforts following catastrophic flooding. The team, composed of 39 first responders from local fire departments, is being deployed as part of the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) under the designation USAR Task Force 1.
The group is expected to remain in Texas for up to 14 days, conducting wide-area search and rescue operations and clearing debris piles in flood-stricken areas.
“This nationwide mutual aid agreement allows states to share resources and personnel during emergencies,” said IEMA-OHS Acting Director Theodore (Ted) Berger. “Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this devastating tragedy and hope we can be of service.”
Governor JB Pritzker authorized the deployment through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), a congressionally approved mutual aid agreement among states. Illinois is one of nearly two dozen states sending aid to Texas.
“Just as many towns, cities, and counties in Illinois have agreements to assist each other in times of disaster, states have agreements to do the same,” Berger added.
Since 1996, EMAC has supported thousands of disaster response missions nationwide, from wildfires to hurricanes.
For more information, visit Ready.Illinois.gov.