Columbus search and rescue team on alert to deploy to disaster zones

The Search and Rescue 4 ALPHA team in Columbus has been placed on alert and is preparing to deploy to any disaster areas hit by Hurricane Irma if needed.

“We haven’t been activated yet, but we are on alert. Right now we’ve got our roster and are preparing for deployment, and it depends on whether we anticipate damage here,” said Fire Marshall Ricky Shores. “If we’re anticipating tremendous damage here, we’ll stay. But if it’s more likely to affect the east coast, we will leave and go there.”

The 35-member team takes its orders from the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, and works with seven other agencies in Georgia and Alabama to coordinate advanced search and rescue efforts. It’s part of the West-Central Georgia Search and Rescue organization.

“GSAR was created to have teams placed strategically throughout the state, so if large scale emergencies took place we’d have assets to get these technical rescue experts on scene in a timely fashion,” Shores said.

The teams are trained in advanced techniques and have the latest tools for extracting people from danger.

“We have sophisticated rescue equipment, including sounding equipment to listen and find people buried under rubble,” Shores said. “These teams are able to deal with technical rescues in a way that normal fire department’s usually can’t.”

Shores said the situation is fluid right now, and he’s waiting on further direction before moving the team out.

“We have to be prepared to go, so we’re doing that. We have to get our own fuel, our supplies and bedding. It’s a huge operation. So our teams are on standby, and if we call them, then in a couple hours they’ll get ready to go.”

This story was originally published September 8, 2017 at 1:22 PM with the headline "Columbus search and rescue team on alert to deploy to disaster zones."