TIFTON – Tifton First Methodist Church played host to some special guests Wednesday evening as members of the Oklahoma Urban Search and Rescue Team utilized the Tifton First campus as a staging area for Hurricane Milton. The rescue team is preparing to assist after Milton makes it way across the state of Florida. After prepping and securing their gear, the team members shared a meal and then bunked in the Tifton First Activities Center.
“We all want to do something,” said Tifton First Senior Pastor Chip Grantham. “For these people willing to go in and take on one of the hardest tasks, I’m glad we are able to provide shelter for those going in to help.”
According to Program Manager Matt Bell, the Oklahoma squad is a Type 3 Swift Water Search and Rescue team. Its members hail from throughout Oklahoma. In addition to the Oklahoma team, rescue teams from Texas and California are also on their way to assist with the aftermath of Hurricane Milton.
It has been a busy couple of weeks for the 38-person Oklahoma rescue team.
“We were in Georgia for Hurricane Helene, before heading up to North Carolina,” Bell said, referring to the Western part of the state that has been devastated by flood waters caused by Helene. He added that following the North Carolina deployment, part of the team returned home to Oklahoma and replacements were scheduled to arrive later Wednesday evening.
“When we arrived at Treasure Island, Florida, where there was a six-foot storm surge,” Bell said, “we were handed three pages of 911 emergency calls.
“We were able to rescue multiple people, including a 98-year-old lady who we found floating on her couch.”
While the teams are fully self-sufficient, Bell expressed his appreciation for the support of the communities who have offered assistance to the rescue teams.
“If it wasn’t for you guys with the church, we’d be sleeping on the side of the road somewhere,” said Bell. “It is very humbling what the communities across this country have given to help us.”
“What they are doing is picture of Christian living,” Grantham said. “To leave the safety of Oklahoma and go that far to help is an incredible testimony on the goodness of people.”
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