Tulsa First Responders Prepare For Natural Disasters With Search And Rescue Training

A team of Oklahoma first responders received hands-on training Wednesday for search and rescue missions.

Being prepared in the event of a natural disaster is a necessary part of today's world.

Here in Tulsa first responders are stepping up their training efforts to ensure those response plans are in place.

"Whenever the disaster hits it's imperative we get out the door quickly," said Terry Sivadon rescue coordinator.

The hope is they are never needed, but when natural disasters happen, or someone is lost there's no time to waste.

"We have a lot of equipment, a lot of trucks. As you can see we're putting up some tents today. It's just good to practice and exercise your equipment so whenever the call comes we can get out of here as quick as we can and get where we need to be," Sivadon said.

Year after year, Oklahoma Task Force One responds to a large number of search and rescue calls.

In August, the team went to Houston to help victims of Hurricane Harvey. That's just one example of why the task force is needed. 

 "They come in handy on your regular shift day or when natural disasters like Hurricane Irma or the floods in Houston. They come in handy to just about every level that we do," said Daniel Ausbrooks of Oklahoma Task Force One.

Although Oklahoma Task Force One is made up of police officers and firefighters from the Tulsa and Oklahoma City areas, together they train with one goal in mind.

"So we're prepared for a Moore tornado, so we're prepared for hurricane Harvey. So we're prepared when the phone call comes for us to go to a natural or a man-made disaster that we're ready," said Oklahoma City Fire Department Major Andrew McCann.

The last day of search and rescue training will be Thursday.

 First responders said they're already looking forward to next month's training.