MCFR readies for Idalia

Just hours before area residents were beginning to feel the impact of Hurricane Idalia, the “Ocala Gazette” dropped by Marion County Fire Rescue’s (MCFR) Special Operations Center on Maricamp Road to capture the activity there.

MCFR brought in an entire shift of employees, consisting of approximately 175 people, 12 hours early in anticipation of the storm.

“The increased staffing will enable us to fill additional apparatus in the case of an increased call volume.  We are prepared for the ‘normal’ storm related calls:  trees on houses, powerlines down and blocked roadways,” said James Lucas, spokesperson for the department.

MCFR is responsible for providing ambulance transportation for all 1,600-square-miles of Marion County and fire emergency services for the unincorporated areas of the county.