UPDATE: Ohio Task Force One departs for Florida

DAYTON — Ohio Task Force One is on the way to Florida to assist with search and rescue following the collapse of a condo building outside Miami last week.

After being on alert since last week, the 82-member FEMA team was activated around 2:30 Wednesday afternoon and had a matter of hours to depart.

The team will drive through the night and into Thursday, with plans to likely get right to work in the search and rescue efforts upon arrival in Surfside, FL.

>> Surfside condo collapse: Local professional on what Florida search and rescue efforts may look like

“We’ve been on alert, we were able to do a lot of what we would have had to do – roster the team, get loaded up with all of our equipment, layout the plan how to drive down there,” Evan Schumann, team leader, said Wednesday.

Ohio Task Force One has been deployed primarily in recent years to assist during hurricanes in other parts of the country but trains regularly on urban search and rescue involving building collapses. The team deployed to New York City following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to assist at the World Trade Center collapse site.

Schumann expects the Florida building collapse will present unique challenges – given the relatively small footprint of the building and the danger of navigating the pile.

>> Surfside condo collapse: Here’s how to help victims

“Any kind of structure collapse – especially one of this size – is exceptionally challenging,” he said.

With a team that is highly trained and made up primarily of first responders dedicated to public service, Schumann said they are prepared.

“This is what our team members are all about,” he said. “Going and helping their fellow citizens on the day of their worst experience.”

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