WFD Responds to Assist WNC After Helene

Published on October 16, 2024

Over the last few weeks, the Wilmington Fire Department sent dozens of firefighters to assist with recovery efforts in Western North Carolina.

The department supplied two waves of Task Force 11 responders, which is made up of firefighters from the Wilmington Fire Department and New Hanover County Fire Rescue. The first team traveled to Asheville, NC, ahead of the arrival of Helene. They performed more than 30 rescues and evacuations during and immediately after the storm. After a 7-day deployment, they were switched out with a fresh team. The second deployment assisted with rescue and recovery searches. They, too, have returned home safely.

This is not all the help WFD provided. In addition to Task Force 11 deployments, the department sent firefighters to relieve Asheville Fire Department firefighters so they could rest and check on their families. A number of chief officers were also deployed to various areas to provide support in Emergency Operations Centers.

The department also sent two members on a 7-day deployment to operate a forklift to load and unload life-saving supplies and activated the Hazardous Materials Regional Response Team-2 to assist with identifying and mitigating hazardous materials displaced during the devastating flooding.

Rest assured that the WFD is doing all we can to help our western neighbors. As a coastal community, we are familiar with the devastation a hurricane can bring. Our hearts and prayers go out as our neighbors begin to recover from this.