PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Two members of Pennsylvania’s Task Force One search and rescue team have traveled to Kentucky to assist with the response and recovery of last week’s devastating tornadoes.
Philadelphia Fire Captain Ken Pagurek, a program manager for Task Force One, said the men will be in Kentucky helping out for at least the next 10 days.
"They’ll kind of be the middle management between Washington D.C. and the FEMA teams working on the ground," said Pagurek.
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"They’ll work in the planning section of the incident support team."
Pagurek has been to a number of natural disaster scenes to help.
He said the guys going to Kentucky are experienced but will have their hands full.
"TV footage that we’re seeing, it does not do the actual damage justice," said Pagurek.
"When your boots [are] on the ground in these areas and you see the actual devastation, it’s always mind-boggling how these things can happen, and then it becomes very real."
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New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy says he’s talked to governors in Kentucky, Arkansas, and Illinois about how first responders in his state can assist.
"You raised your hand, I raised our hand. New Jersey is here for those states if they need us," said Murphy.
Pagurek said one of the biggest things out-of-state responders can do is provide relief to those other workers who also need to help and look after their families.
