Special Fire Team Ready For Ike

When Hurricane Ike arrives in Texas, the Tulsa Fire Department is ready to help if needed.  They are part of a search and rescue team that is on standby to go to Texas.

Besides the normal duties, they are specially trained to handle water rescues in urban environments.

"They can literally go in, set up a tent, sleep on the ground.  They carry sleeping bags and everything they need to be self-sufficient:  meals ready to eat, water, so they, they are mandated to be ready to go rapidly, and stay self-sufficient for 72 hours.  In these harsh conditions, they can't always guarantee there will be food and water available," said Tulsa Fire Captain Michael Baker.

The team responded to the May tornadoes in Picher.   

Editor's note:  Our statewide partner, News 9, is tracking the storm from the Gulf Coast.  Click on to read KWTV anchor Kelly Ogle's blog and read more storm stories.