Three members of the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department’s (SDFD) Urban Search & Rescue California Task Force 8 were involved in a vehicle crash early this morning, Sunday, Sept. 29, on Interstate 20 near Highway 80 which is close to the border of Texas and Louisiana. They are part of a 48-person team that was headed to support Hurricane Helene relief efforts in North Carolina.  

The three team members were together in a F-350 truck when the crash occurred at 2:45 a.m. Central Standard Time. All three were flown by air ambulance to Louisiana State University Hospital in Shreveport, Louisiana. The cause of the crash is under investigation. The remainder of the task force team members were sent to Waskom, Texas, where they will wait for further instructions.

“Our prayers are with these three brave firefighters, their families and loved ones, as they are being treated in Louisiana,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. “We’ve seen the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene, and we know how critical it is to have water-rescue specialists responding to disasters like this one. These first responders put their own lives on the line every day, here at home and around the country when called. They embody the courage, bravery and service that defines our San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.”

In the early evening on Friday, Sept. 27, this Task Force 8 crew left San Diego with 48 people from multiple agencies. The Type III water rescue team includes 32 team members from SDFD, others from Carlsbad, Chula Vista, El Cajon, La Mesa, Rancho Santa Fe, San Marcos and Santee fire departments, an emergency room doctor, two firefighters from Riverside Fire Department (members of USAR CA-TF6), one civilian structural engineer and one City of San Diego Fleet Services mechanic.

SDFD Fire Chief Robert Logan and Deputy Chief Steve Lozano left San Diego early Sunday morning, heading to Shreveport, Louisiana.

“The news of this crash is devastating. We are doing everything we can to offer support to our department and those team members and their families who were part of this deployment,” said SDFD Assistant Chief James Gaboury.

SDFD is the sponsoring agency for the San Diego Urban Search & Rescue California Task Force 8. The task force is made up of more than 200 members from several local agencies. These members are firefighters, medical doctors and engineers. All team members across the United States receive extensive training that is consistent across the task forces. They are trained to work together seamlessly regardless of which agency they represent or rank they hold. In addition, all equipment they use is the same. 

California Task Force 8 has deployed to many natural disasters over the years. There are 28 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Urban Search & Rescue Task Forces throughout the United States.