Central Florida search and rescue team headed to Louisiana ahead of Hurricane Laura

ORLANDO, Fla. — Central Florida fire departments are deploying to southwest Louisiana, near Lake Charles, ahead of the landfall of Hurricane Laura.

Officials said Task Force 4 will help with the search and rescue effort.

Task Force 4 specializes in structural collapse, swift water rescue, wide area search and hazardous materials.

Read: Hurricane Laura continues to rapidly intensify, expected to become Category 4 storm before landfall

The team includes firefighters, paramedics, structural engineers, doctors, search and rescue K9s and other highly-trained specialists.

The search and rescue team is led by the Orlando Fire Department, Orange County Fire Rescue and Seminole County Fire Department, and joined by members from Lake County Fire Rescue and Clermont Fire Department.

Read: Update: NOAA’s Hurricane season forecast predicts a record number of storms this season

Officials said there are about 40 firefighters who are part of the deployment that typically lasts 15 days.

Cox Media Group