SAN DIEGO-Three members of the San Diego Fire Department were seriously injured Sunday in a traffic accident near the Texas-Louisiana border while carrying out a mission to support people endangered by Hurricane Helene, authorities reported.
The accident occurred around 12:45 a.m. Sunday on Highway 20 East, near the border between Texas and Louisiana, according to a statement from the city of San Diego.
“Three SDFD firefighters were seriously injured in an accident while en route to assist in the response to Hurricane Helene. They are all receiving medical care in Louisiana. I ask San Diegans to keep these first responders and their families in their prayers,” San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said in a social media message.
The three San Diego firefighters involved in the accident were part of California Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 8 and were part of a 48-person team headed to North Carolina in an F-350 truck to assist in the effort. relief The injured are a battalion chief and two captains.
They were taken by air ambulance to Louisiana State University Hospital in Shreveport. The health status of the injured ranges from moderate to critical.
The rest of the members of the task force were sent to Waskom, Texas, where they will await further instructions, according to authorities.
“Our prayers are with these three brave firefighters, their families and loved ones as they are being treated in Louisiana,” Gloria said. “We have seen the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene and know how important it is to have water rescue specialists responding to disasters like this. These first responders risk their lives every day, here at home and across the country when called upon. call. They embody the courage, bravery and service that defines our San Diego Fire and Rescue Department.”
On Friday, the Task Force 8 crew departed San Diego with 48 personnel from multiple agencies. The Type III water rescue team includes 32 members of the SDFD and others from Carlsbad, Chula Vista, El Cajon, La Mesa, Rancho Santa Fe, San Marcos and Santee fire departments.
An emergency doctor, two firefighters from the Riverside Fire Department, a structural civil engineer and a mechanic from the city of San Diego Fleet Services also participated.
SDFD says they are working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to determine if they still need the resources
SDFD Chief Robert Logan and Deputy Chief Steve Lozano left San Diego early Sunday morning and headed to Shreveport. The victims’ families have also been notified and are en route to reunite with their loved ones.
“The news of this accident is devastating. We are doing everything we can to provide support to our department and the team members and their families who were part of this deployment,” said SDFD Deputy Chief James Gaboury.
The circumstances of the accident are still unclear.
