Dozens of Jacksonville firefighters, emergency response crews assisting with Hurricane Michael

Dozens of Jacksonville firefighters and first responders are in Pensacola to assist with Hurricane Michael.

Forty-seven members of the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department’s Urban Search and Rescue team left for the Florida Panhandle Tuesday.

Firefighters said they were happy to help families who assisted in Jacksonville following hurricanes Matthew and Irma.

“It’s never comfortable leaving your family and friends behind because you worry about them. We all have family here, but it also helps that you’re going to help other people,” said Capt. Mark Roberts.

The team is expected to be deployed for 10 days depending on the severity of the damage.

UF Health told Action News Jax one of their physicians went with the team, and Florida Highway Patrol sent 33 troopers from Jacksonville.

JEA said it also scheduled 10 electrical crews to head to the Panhandle on Thursday.

Updates: Hurricane Michael strengthens to Category 3 storm

Michael Nelson said it was his first deployment.

“[I’m] excited to go, excited to be with the guys, and do what we train for,” he said.

There are K9s accompanying the crews along with rescue boats, ATVs and generators.

“They can do anything from heavy rescue underneath piles of debris to rescuing people that are trapped by swift water," Chief Keith Powers said.

Mayor Lenny Curry was at the Fire Academy to send off the team.

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Action News Jax watched as Red Cross volunteers packed food, water, containers full of supplies, first aid kits, cleaning supplies, batteries and a GPS tracking system.

“I’m prepared to go up basically 8 to 9,000 meals a day,” volunteer Jay Marinelli said. He added that he has only been home for six days after helping Hurricane Florence victims in North Carolina.

“We deliver meals to either a fixed site or mobile,” Marinelli said. “Mobile means we drive around neighborhoods, knock on doors and give people food, especially ones that don’t have power.”

“We’re there to care for people who will be heading in to the shelters, probably end up in a special needs shelter somewhere around Panama City,” American Red Cross nurse Dawna Augustine said.

“I’m trying to give them some hope,” Marinelli said. “At least let them know you get the necessities of life, somebody out here does care about you.”

Jacksonville Beach Ocean Rescue issued a red flag warning saying they are already seeing impacts from the storm.

“If anyone tries to enter the water north of the pier and they’re not a competent swimmer, they’re more than likely going to get swept into the pier,” Rescue Swimmer Gordon Vandusen said. “We advise that all people stay out of the water no matter their level because of the risk out there.”

The City of Jacksonville has not issued an alert for the area, however city officials told Action News Jax they are prepared if the forecast changes.

Cox Media Group