( CNN ) -- When an EF5 tornado touched down in Moore , Oklahoma , this week , Tad Agoglia and his First Response Team of America were stationed at a hotel about 30 miles away , ready to take action . About two hours after the storm hit , they were already on the scene using their specialized equipment to dig through the rubble at Plaza Towers Elementary School . `` We were digging up an area of the school we thought there could be some young children trapped , '' said Agoglia , a 2008 CNN Hero . `` Seeing the desks , pieces of paper children had written on , it just stopped me in my tracks , and it reminded me of why I do what I do every day . '' In the last six years , Agoglia 's group has responded to more than 50 large-scale disasters , including the 2010 earthquake in Haiti and Hurricane Sandy in New York . The group owns cranes to lift heavy debris , and it has plasma cutters that can slice through steel beams and concrete . Agoglia said that when he and his team arrived in Moore , they knew immediately that there would be an enormous need . They plan to stay and help as many people as they can over the next several weeks before hurricane season gets into full swing . Another group founded by a CNN Hero , the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation , has also been helping in the recovery efforts . It mobilized 10 teams of dogs and their handlers to search for survivors buried in the rubble . `` This tornado showed us nature 's rage at its worst , '' said Wilma Melville , a 2011 CNN Hero . She said her team `` specifically placed four teams in Oklahoma City and four in Tulsa , Oklahoma , so that they would be near areas of anticipated tornado activity . Speedy search capability is a wonderful asset . '' The teams searched schools , homes and a bowling alley leveled by the storm , which led one handler to text when he arrived on scene : `` Devastation . Near tears . '' Also helping out is Team Rubicon , a group of military veterans who work together to help communities hit by natural disasters . Founded by 2012 CNN Hero Jake Wood , it has 30 members on the ground now and is mobilizing hundreds more from across the country . `` This is every bit as bad as Joplin , '' said Wood , referring to the Missouri tornado from May 2011 . `` Many of our volunteers were at Joplin almost exactly two years ago , and many of us thought we 'd never see that level of destruction again . '' Larger crews will arrive in Moore on Saturday to help with recovery efforts , including cleaning up debris and fixing homes . Wood anticipates having about 250 veterans helping over the next several weeks . Want to get involved ? Click here to find out ways you can help the victims in Moore .
A trio of Hurricane Sandy Hero are helping the recovery efforts in Moore , Moore . Wilma Melville 's and his group brought specialized equipment to dig through the rubble . Tad Agoglia organization provided search dogs to look for survivors . Jake Wood has mobilized a team of military veterans to help families rebuild .