HANCOCK COUNTY — After three long weeks of tireless service, Sugar Creek Township Fire Department Fire Chief Brandon Kleine, Deputy Chief Robin Nicoson, Lt. Adam Schock, and Lt. Jeff Keithley along with veteran team leader Jay Settergren (who is from Hancock County) were all part of the Indiana Task Force 1 team that has returned after helping victims of Hurricane Helene and Milton.
The Indiana Task Force 1 team had traveled to Florida then to North Carolina and back to Florida before being demobilized got. It came home last week after working for the three straight weeks, putting in 12- and 14-hour days.
“The last three weeks were a test both physically and mentally for all our team members,” said Nicoson. “Some of the areas affected were completely destroyed. As a team, we were able to help individuals get closure from these tragic events.”
The TF-1 crew helped alongside FEMA and other rescue crews, evacuating more than 300 residents in Florida while they were met with high winds, heavy rain and flooding during the mission.
“Every deployment is different. This one required a lot of mileage and many different scenarios and missions,” Kleine said. Technically, it was two deployments combined into the 22 days. When we get a mission, we pack up and go. Usually they last 7-14 days, so this one was different. Our team was resilient, and I was honored to serve those in need.”
Officials says some 80 Hoosiers with Task Force 1 deployed from the heartland to the hardest hit areas in the Southeast. They went to places like Florida and North Carolina to help clean up after Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton ripped through parts of those states.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of a team that has made a positive impact on communities that have a long road ahead,” said Schock.
It was the same feeling for other county members who are part of the team.
“I’m happy with all the hard work that the team was able to do,” said Keithley “It meant a lot to the communities and brought closure to some of the families.”
Officials noted their team had a lot of hard work but that they train intensely before heading out to be able to be able to help with search efforts, damage assessments and more for such things as back-to-back hurricanes.
“We are proud to have multiple members of our department who double as members of Indiana Task Force 1,” said Sugar Creek Township Fire Department Public Information Officer Caleb Pyle. “This takes the support from the entire department. We are proud of the work that those deployed have done and we are happy to have them home safe.”
