2 JCFD members volunteer in St. Louis flood task force

Two members of the Jefferson City Fire Department were sent this week as part of Missouri Task Force 1 to help after record flooding in St. Louis County.

Capt. Casey Hughes and Driver Nick LaBoube went along with 20 other members of the task force, which is based in Boone County, and specializes in various search and rescue efforts.

Jefferson City Fire Chief Matt Schofield said the two were going as volunteers.

Task Force 1 is all volunteers, so everyone on the force is helping others at no cost.

"It goes back to our long tradition in this state of mutual aid," Schofield said. "These deployments give these firefighters more experience and they can bring that back and help us."

The task force can help rescue people from flooded or swift waters, evacuate dangerous areas or notify people of places to avoid.

The crew took four flat-bottom boats and two zodiac boats. They also brought rope, water rescue and support equipment and communication personnel.

Schofield said he was grateful they weren't having mutual aid coming here following heavy rains the past several days.

"We had no major problems here," he said. "We did keep an eye on homes along Green Meadow Drive for high water, but nothing occurred and if there was any road damage it was minimal."