Colorado Task Force One deploys to aid in flood, tornado recovery efforts in Tennessee and Kentucky

DENVER (KDVR) — Tennessee and Kentucky are set to receive some help from Colorado this weekend as they recover from severe weather, including tornados and widespread flooding.

Colorado Task Force One got the call to deploy late Friday afternoon.

“We can theoretically be out the door in two to three hours,” said Task Force Leader Brian Daley.

A quick turnaround for them, but Daley said they’re always prepared for situations just like this one. They spent the afternoon quickly packing for the 10 to 14-day trip to parts of Tennessee and Kentucky.

“It’s a tremendous opportunity, and it’s a huge honor,” said Daley. “I mean, we train this stuff all the time.”

Daley said they’re traveling with half of its full crew, so about 45 people, but that doesn’t mean they’re packing light.

“We have half the personnel that’s going, but we carry all of our equipment,” he said.

Eleven vehicles, including boats for flood rescue, and everything from water safety to communications gear.

“We’re versatile enough to cover most everything they can throw at us,” said Daley.

This is his fifth mission as task force leader. Each trip, he said, they bring back new experiences on how to better serve the community here in Colorado, but above all, the chance to help others is what makes him proud to answer the call.

“We go into those situations, and they are overwhelmed,” said Daley. “I mean, just by the mere fact that they’ve called for help means they need help, so we can come in and kind of bring a little calm to the chaos.”

They expect to be on the road for about 15 hours before getting their assignments in Tennessee on Saturday.