Local agencies weigh in on storm response

[Photo courtesy Marion County Fire Rescue]

The National Weather Service continued multiple severe weather warnings for Marion County on Thursday afternoon as first responders stood ready for storm effects.

The NWS alerts for the Marion County area Thursday afternoon included a countywide tornado watch until 8 p.m.; hurricane warning for western Marion County; flood watch through Friday morning for central and western Marion; and a tropical storm warning for central and eastern Marion County including Anthony, Burbank, Ocala and Weirsdale, according to the NWS website.

Marion County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Zach Moore stated just before 5 p.m. Thursday that 60 people were in the West Port High School shelter, which has a capacity of 745. Moore stated a plan was in place if additional shelter space was needed.

Florida Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshall Jimmy Patronis said in phone interview that about 1,100 combined first responders in eight urban search and rescue task forces, including Marion County based Task Force 8, will fan out across the state and search for people needing rescue and mark the structures with a “tagging.”

Patronis said the state has eight task forces, with about 450 standing members, which include surgeons and building engineers, and when deployed may camp in school gyms or other facilities.

Patronis said holding back the task force members until the storm clears to enter the field would be hard as saving people is their “nourishment.”

Patronis  said the task forces may get input from local authorities about people who stayed behind at residences, such as in barrier islands, and plans will be formed to check on those people.

Patronis said first responders must risk a rescue for some people who may be “too stubborn” to evacuate when warned.

Patronis warned resident with possible insurance claims to be aware of “predators” wanting to fraud homeowners and residents “should not sign anything.”

A Marion County Fire Rescue Facebook post stated: “Task Force 8 sent a 28 member team:  14 from MCFR, seven from Gainesville Fire Rescue, seven from Ocala Fire Rescue, one civilian structural specialist.  They deployed to Cecil Field, Jacksonville, in anticipation of Helicopter Search and Rescue missions in the affected areas.”

James Lucas, Public Safety Information Manager, Marion County Fire Rescue, forwarded a post from Sept. 26 that “the team will be deploying with the Army National Guard for Helicopter Search and Rescue operations with Swift Water Rescue capabilities.  Our task force deployed 4 boats and 13 vehicles with the ability to complete water rescues, search/rescue operations and structural damage assessments.”

“MCFR is prepared for any emergency, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  We have added to our normal daily staffing.  We are awaiting the rain and wind,” he stated.

Ashley Lopez, Public Information Officer for Ocala Fire Rescue, emailed that, “All seven of our regularly operating engines have been upstaffed; one more first responder has been added to each… today, OFR will be adding three front line apparatus to our fleet. Each of those trucks will be staffed with three personnel,” Lopez stated.

“We have staffed the Emergency Operation Center with our Emergency Management liaison, working 24-hour shifts. Additionally, seven OFR members have merged under Florida Task Force 8 and have deployed as part of Florida’s federal resources to conduct Urban Search and Rescue Operations,” she stated.

[Photo courtesy Marion County Fire Rescue]