RENTON, Wash. — CORRECTION: On Monday, we reported that firefighters from the Renton fire dive team were going to Houston. This was incorrect. Firefighters from Renton have gone to Houston, but not trained rescue swimmers or members of the dive team.
Local FEMA groups are headed to Texas Monday morning, including Renton firefighters.
The firefighters have been deployed as part of FEMA’s Pierce County-based Washington Task Force, WA-TF1.
On Sunday night, 17 Pierce County first responders loaded up five vehicles and several trailers to make the 35-hour drive to Houston.
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Related: Pierce County FEMA task force headed to Texas
They've got six boats that will be put to use immediately.
"The waters aren't going away. They're not receding, they have nowhere to go. It's horrific. My heart goes out to the people who are there,” Mike McCaffree with Pierce County Emergency Management said.
Before they left, task force members said that they know the mission will be challenging.
Cox Media Group
