CHANTILLY, Va. — Eighty members of Virginia Task Force 1 (VA-TF1) began their journey down to Florida Tuesday night.
They're headed there to help as Tropical Storm Helene moves closer.
VA-TF1 was established in 1986. They have more than 200 specially trained fire and rescue personnel, along with search and rescue specialists. They are one of only two U.S. urban search and rescue teams teams that can deploy internationally.
"Most of the people on our team are uniformed members of the fire and rescue department. We also have some civilians in specialty roles, such as K9 handlers, engineers, medical doctors and technical information specialists," said Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Assistant Chief Tracey Reed.
Reed joined the team in 2014 and went on her first deployment in 2015. Being on the team was a dream come true for her.
"I always saw this team and I wanted to join Fairfax County Fire and Rescue department because I wanted to be part of the team," said Reed, "I think for a lot of us, we have this desire to serve it's a calling."
While she's an Assistant Chief for the county, her role on the task force is Plans Manager.
"There is no rank. There's no civilian uniform, or what rank you are. When we're on these disaster missions, we're there for the same cause," she told WUSA9.
While the entire VA-TF1 team has many more women, she's one of only nine women who are on the specific team that is headed to Florida.
"It is amazing because when we travel and see other teams, there aren't necessarily the same number of women represented," said Reed.
Jennifer Hiner, a lifelong resident of Northern Virginia and a medical specialist for Fairfax County Fire & Rescue, is also headed to Florida with the team.
"I don't feel like I've worked a day in my life," she told WUSA9. She has deployed with VA-TF1 more than a dozen times.
"We're excited to be there, but it's also nerves. We don't know what we're getting ourselves into, but we are ready for anything," said Hiner.
Charlotte Grove is also one of the members of the team headed down to Florida to help. She will work alongside her partner, K-9 Ant.
"He is a 5-year-old Belgian Malinois. He is trained to find life. So, his job is to sniff them out and bark to let us know," said Grove
She told WUSA9 it's an honor to be on this team, a team that she's seen more and more women joining. Being a woman in this type of role comes with a great responsibility.
"We worked very hard to get here and the thought of getting young women and inspiring people to do something and give back to their community is very very important," she explained.
Each of the women shared with WUSA9 that they hope to inspire young girls who are watching, as they head out on this latest mission.
"What do you hope they take away from seeing you in this role," WUSA9's Katie Lusso asked each of the women.
"To do it. Follow your dreams. You can do anything," she responded.
"I would say to little girls, you can do anything. Do what you want to. Do what you like and are passionate about," said Reed.
"Everything is possible. Stop at nothing. Do what you want. Live life to the fullest and pursue whatever career you want," added Grove.
The team is expected to arrive sometime on Wednesday. They'll be working with local first responders in Florida, wherever they are needed.