FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA—Earlier this week, Fairfax County first responders deployed to the Houston area along with other search and rescue teams to assist with Tropical Storm Harvey rescue efforts. And as we've seen devastating stories like the toddler found clinging to her drowned mother, every life the team has saved makes all of the different.
The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue team is part of the Virginia Task Force 1 Swiftwater team responding after the hurricane devastated the Texas coast, killing at least 39.
So far the 14 Fairfax County first responders that are swiftwater trained have been rescuing residents from flooded homes in Kingwood, Texas. Fairfax County Fire and Rescue reported Thursday that the VA-TF1 team has rescued six people and two pets that were stranded in flooded homes. The team also went back for a resident's three pets and people's medications and other personal belongings.