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News | Sept. 8, 2017

DLA Disposition Services equipment to the rescue

By Jeff Landenberger DLA Disposition Services

Before Hurricane Irma began to move, before Harvey made landfall, equipment from DLA Disposition Services was already in action rescuing people from floodwaters in Southwest Florida.

Flooding from Aug. 25 to 28 led the San Carlos Park Fire Department to use converted military cargo trucks to navigate their city streets. The trucks had been acquired through the FireFighter Program, a joint effort between DLA Disposition Services and the Forest Service.

Firefighters drove the trucks through floodwaters measuring four feet deep and contaminated with bacteria, petroleum, and waste products.

The trucks were originally acquired to help fight brush fires but were put to work when heavy rain flooded the area. San Carlos Park Fire Department reported that they rescued 210 people and 50 animals over three days.