Elgin-area firefighters are part of a state strike team sent to Florida to help first responders in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, Elgin Fire Chief Rob Cagann said.
The Elgin Fire Department sent a fire engine, an assistant chief, a captain and a firefighter as part of a team that includes firefighters from South Elgin, West Dundee and Carpentersville for a 15-day deployment, he said.
“Elgin is right in the middle of it and participating as much as we can,” Cagann said. “For us to have the ability to take our equipment and our resources down there … is a real credit to the city of Elgin.”
Hurricane Milton made landfall at Siesta Key as a Category 3 storm late Wednesday, moving across Florida from its east coast to west. In addition to heavy rain, flooding and wind gusts of more than 100 mph, the storm also spawned hundreds of tornadoes, according to reports.
Cagann said firefighters were headed to Tallahassee, Florida, and will go wherever they’re needed. In the past, the strike teams have relieved first responders who were on duty during the hurricane, allowing them to check on their families and get some rest.
“You can’t be an effective first responder if you are worried about your family,” Cagann said.
Illinois assembled the strike teams about 10 a.m. Wednesday, the chief said, and were on the road by about 8 p.m.
“We are one of the few states that can provide mutual aid in a short amount of time,” he said. “Illinois is on the cutting edge of mutual aid in the country.”
Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
