KFD Joins National Task Force Deployed to Assist with Maui Wildfires

Published on August 17, 2023

Media Contact:
Sue Romero
Communications Program Coordinator
sromero@kirklandwa.gov
(425) 587-3017

KIRKLAND, Wash. – Lieutenant Tyrel Koistinen of the Kirkland Fire Department has joined many others from across the Puget Sound region to assist in the recovery efforts of the wildfires in Maui, Hawaii.  Lt. Koistinen is a Hazmat specialist and a member on the Washington Task Force 1 (WA-TF1), an interagency group that’s part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Urban Search & Rescue Team.

Lt. Koistinen was sent to Maui last week and could be deployed for up to 14 days.

This is the first time the KFD is a participating agency on the WA-TF1.  WA-TF1 comprises over 210 team members from 36 organizations, including fire departments, hospitals, law enforcement and public works agencies in Seattle, King County and Pierce County. It is one of 28 Task Forces in the U.S. These task forces may be deployed to assist after earthquakes, hurricanes, acts of terrorism and other disasters.

Learn more about the Washington Task Force 1. Learn more about the Kirkland Fire Department.

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