At the board meeting of September 23, 2026, Chief Purtill introduced OFPD retired Battalion Chief Joseph Moore, who is now a MABAS USAR Branch Chief.  Chief Moore presented the Orland Fire District with a MABAS Humanitarian Award in appreciation of the support of the MABAS Task Force 1 USAR Team's deployment to TX in response to the flash flood disaster.  

Next, he presented Lieutenants Ritchie, Hogan and Zweizig with Humanitarian Service Medal Awards regarding the Flood Disaster - State of Texas - Flash Flood Disaster Response and Relief Effort for their deployment in July 2025.

Following severe flooding in July 2025, an Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team from Illinois, deployed through the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS), was sent to Texas. 

Details of the MABAS-led USAR deployment 

• Team and deployment size: The team, identified as USAR Task Force 1, consisted of 39 rescue personnel from various Illinois fire departments.
• Activation: The deployment was authorized by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, who directed the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) to activate the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC).
• Purpose: The crew was tasked with wide-area search and rescue as well as debris clearance.
• Duration: The team was expected to operate in Texas for up to 14 days.
• Context: Illinois was one of nearly two dozen states that offered assistance to Texas following the disaster. 

Great job gentlemen!