RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Dozens of Raleigh Police Department personnel for the first time have joined the Helene recovery mission in western North Carolina.

“Wherever they need help, we’re going to respond,” Raleigh Police Department Public Information Officer Lt. Jason Borneo, told CBS 17’s Baron James on Saturday morning. “Many of us have driven down the road into Black Mountain into Swannanoa, and we’ve seen utter devastation.”

The group of 39 officers and administrative support arrived in the storm-ravaged area of Black Mountain Friday evening to support the local police primarily with security checks and to assist overall in helping the Helene survivors.

Raleigh Police brought their own equipment and other resources to set up full remote operations.

“We brought our own vehicle mechanics. We brought our own fuel,” Borneo said, “to make sure that we can be fully self-sufficient and ensure that our partners aren’t required to share any support that they need.”

This first team of Raleigh Police Department responders will stay in the Black Mountain area until Wednesday when the next Raleigh police team arrives to continue giving desperately needed help to the Helene survivors.

“They’re in the process of recovery,” Borneo said. “They’re in the process of cleaning up. We’ve seen homes and communities completely demolished by flood waters by this devastating hurricane. But what’s come out of this is a really truly resilient community; and we’re very proud to partner with the public safety partners in Black Mountain, with their fire department, EMS, police, to ensure they can recover as best as they can.”