Panama City, Fla. – Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis joined Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 5 of Jacksonville on one of their missions in Bay County. This task force is one of 21 deployed following Hurricane Michael.

 

CFO and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis said, “To see first responders from all over our state and nation working every hour around the clock, saving lives, is incredibly humbling. I was with Task Force 5 today from Jacksonville and saw first-hand the work they do. From saving lives to helping people access the resources they need to recover, these men and women are my heroes. There is a lot of work left to do, but I know with teams like Task Force 5 we will get it done."

 

These teams are the primary response units that are immediately deployed to provide assistance to communities that have been impacted by a natural or man-made disaster. The teams are comprised of Florida firefighters and first responders.

 

• Total of 21 Urban Search and Rescue teams including eight from Florida, which have Swift Water support.
• Six Strike Teams of Florida Fire-Rescue Ambulances and 12 Strike Teams of Fire Engines.
• There are more than 30 teams and support elements totaling approximately 2,456 emergency personnel responding to calls for help related to Hurricane Michael.