News Release

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Task Force 1 is deploying to Maui, HI, to help control and eliminate the deadly wildfires that are rampaging across the island. As of now, the death toll is over 100 people. This wildfire is the deadliest in the U.S. in over a century.

IN-TF1 received their activation orders Tuesday, Aug. 15. They will act as a Type 1 Urban Search and Rescue team. The team is comprised of 70 people. The teams consist of trauma doctors, nurses, structural engineers and firefighters. The team will also have several peer professionals to help the team cope with the emotional challenges.

Right now, it is unclear when the teams will deploy, as they are having trouble securing flights.

Jay Settergren, Task Force Leader, explains the group will conduct disciplined searches in areas that have already been devastated by the wildfires.

IN-TF1 members represent the following agencies:

• Indianapolis Fire Department
• Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department
• Civilians
• Wayne Township Fire Department
• Whitestown Fire Department
• Sugar Creek Fire Department
• Bargersville Fire Department
• Danville Fire Department
• Lafayette Fire Department
• Plainfield Fire Department
• Brownsburg Fire Territory
• Speedway Fire Department
• Greenwood Fire Department
• Zionsville Fire Department
• Westfield Fire Department
• Carmel Fire Department
• Noblesville Fire Department