Water rescue teams from Kansas who were deployed to Texas to help with flood recovery efforts are back home.
The firefighters, law enforcement and first responders from agencies across the state helped clear more than 1500 structures and provided 50 evacuations during the deployment.
The coordinator from the State Fire Marshal’s Office says the crews also provided basic life support and medical care, while supporting helicopter and urban search and rescue efforts.
The crews left last Wednesday and returned on Tuesday morning.
Kansas sent flood rescue personnel, along with hard-bottom, air boats and inflatable boats.
"As far as getting [evacuees] to the boat, it's fairly simple," says Sedgwick County Fire Department's Capt. Brad Broyles." A lot of the homes we were able to boat right up to the yard, right up to the doors, put them in the boats and take them to dry land."
Broyles says that while it was relatively easy getting to the evacuees, conditions were still difficult for the crews who worked in very hot and humid weather and in extremely dirty water. He says the evacuees were offered transportation to shelters and medicine if necessary.
Doug Jorgensen, Kansas Fire Marshal, said in a news release that more than 50 fire, law enforcement and first responder personnel were sent to Texas.
“I’m proud of the hard work and sacrifice of our Kansas first responders when it came to helping the citizens of Texas during this difficult time," he said. "They did a spectacular job down there under difficult conditions, and I’m happy they all made it back safely.”
Agencies that were involved include The Kansas Adjutant General’s Office, Kansas Fire Marshal’s Office, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, Derby Fire Department, Chanute Fire Department, Derby Fire Department, Hutchinson Fire Department, South Hutchinson Police Department, Manhattan Fire Department, Mission Township Fire Department, Neodesha Fire Department, Newton Fire Department/EMS, Parsons Fire Department, Pittsburg Fire Department, Salina Fire Department, Saline County Sheriff’s Office, Sedgwick County Fire Department, Shawnee Fire Department and Winfield Fire Department.
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