LAS VEGAS – In a heartening display of inter-state cooperation, a 45-member team hailing from Las Vegas has been dispatched to Maui, Hawaii, with a determined mission: to aid in quelling the devastating wildfires that have wreaked havoc on the picturesque Hawaiian island over the past week.

The initiative, organized under the aegis of Nevada Task Force 1, was set into motion following an urgent call received on Thursday night, as recounted by Clark County Deputy Fire Chief Billy Samuels. The call summoned a Type III response – a comprehensive approach to crisis management that calls for a multifaceted team to address the unfolding catastrophe.

The rapid mobilization was initiated with an alert issued to the team, prompting swift preparations for deployment. With Las Vegas left behind in their wake, the group set off late Friday morning, armed with a diverse set of skills and expertise to aid in the crisis.

Deputy Chief Samuels elaborated on the composition of the 45-person team, detailing a range of roles designed to comprehensively tackle the challenges posed by the wildfires. The team encompasses specialists in hazardous materials, search and rescue, planning, technical information analysis, heavy rigging operations, drivers, canine handlers, and even includes a medical contingent complete with a physician.

Adding to the collective effort is the Mission Ready Package, a compact team comprising five individuals and two canine companions, who were dispatched to Maui the previous day to supplement ongoing relief operations.

The successful mobilization of the team, however, would not have been possible without the support of several key partners. Deputy Chief Samuels expressed gratitude to Southwest Airlines, Harry Reid International Airport, and the Transportation Security Administration, all of whom played pivotal roles in facilitating Task Force 1’s swift journey to Hawaii.

As the Las Vegas team joins forces with local responders and other support units on the ground, the island of Maui continues to battle against the wrath of three separate wildfires. These fires have led to the tragic loss of at least 55 lives and the destruction of numerous homes.

Credits: News3LV

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