Westfield Fire Chief, Division Chief of Training Help Hurricane Victims
Westfield Fire Department Fire Chief Rob Gaylor (right) and Division Chief of Training Charles Johnson prepare to head out on deployment.
Westfield Fire Department Chief Rob Gaylor and Division Chief of Training Charles Johnson, both members of Indiana Task Force 1, were deployed today in advance of Hurricane Ian. Forty-five team members and six support personnel were activated as the hurricane advanced toward Tampa Bay, Florida.
Chief Gaylor serves as a water rescue specialist with Indiana Task Force 1, and Chief Johnson is a Hazardous Materials Technician. Gaylor was on the scene of the Surfside condominium collapse in Miami in June of 2021.
“I’m extremely proud of all our public safety personnel and those that serve with Indiana Task Force 1,” said Westfield Mayor Andy Cook. “Not only do they serve the citizens of Westfield, they selflessly use their knowledge and training to help all Americans during disasters.”
Gaylor was appointed Fire Chief in January of 2022. He’s been with the department since 2004. Chief Johnson joined Westfield Fire in 2019.
Since 1992, Indiana Task Force 1 has been one of 28 FEMA urban search and rescue teams in the nation capable of deploying anywhere in the continental United States.