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CFO & State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis: Urban Search & Rescue Task Forces Preparing to Save Lives Following Hurricane Milton

10/9/2024
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) & State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis provided an update on the pre-staging and response efforts of Florida's Urban Search & Rescue (US&R) Task Forces ahead of the impacts of Hurricane Milton. The State Fire Marshal’s Office oversees Florida’s US&R teams, which are deployed to aid communities impacted by a natural or man-made disaster. The CFO advises residents in the storm's path to take final precautions to prepare their homes and property ahead of Hurricane Milton. Currently, 51 Florida counties are under a declared state of emergency and many communities are currently under evacuation orders. 


CFO & State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis said, “Florida has mobilized more than 1,600 Urban Search & Rescue personnel and pre-staged them in key areas across the state in preparation for Hurricane Milton. Our Unified Command Post in Orlando is staffed with more than 160 personnel to manage what will likely be the largest deployment of US&R teams in state history. These resources include 23 US&R Task Forces and 10 Swift Water Rescue Teams with over 136 swift water rescue boats ready to respond. Our air support services, in coordination with the Air National Guard, will aid in deploying task forces to barrier islands in the storm's path, and cut and toss teams from the Florida Fire Service will help clear roads and debris quickly to help our teams gain access to damaged communities. These men and women have one mission - to save lives - and we are working with our federal, state, and local partners to put them in the best possible locations to rapidly respond to whatever Milton throws Florida's way. I can't thank these heroes enough for the hard work and dedication they have during disasters. They truly are the tip of the spear in Florida's hurricane response and recovery efforts."

Urban Search & Rescue Task Force Capabilities

  • Physical search and rescue operations in damaged/collapsed structures
  • Emergency medical care for entrapped survivors, task force personnel and search canines
  • Reconnaissance to assess damage and needs, and provide feedback to local, state, tribal, territorial, and federal officials
  • Assessment/shut-off of utilities to houses and other buildings
  • Hazardous materials surveys/evaluations
  • Structural/hazard evaluations of buildings needed for immediate occupancy to support disaster relief operations
  • Stabilizing damaged structures, including shoring and cribbing operations on damaged buildings
  • Hazardous Materials Equipment Push Packages for operations in a contaminated environment
  • Search and rescue operations in a water environment

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About CFO Jimmy Patronis
Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis is a statewide elected official and a member of Florida’s Cabinet who oversees the Department of Financial Services. CFO Patronis works each day to fight insurance fraud, support Florida’s firefighters, and ensure the state’s finances are stable to support economic growth in the state. Follow the activities of the Department on Facebook (FLDFS) and X (@FLDFS).