JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Minutes matter when someone is trapped inside a car.
Some of Jacksonville firefighters spend their spare time perfecting the way they help patients.
“When we see them in the street, we’re ready to get them out and get them out quickly," said Michael Matos, captain of the Duval Wrecking Crew.
TRENDING:
In November, Action News Jax reported when the Duval Wrecking Crew trained for a national competition.
The nonprofit team is headed to France to compete in worlds in September.
According to Matos, it’s more than a contest.
“This actually has had a large impact on evolving our department in extrication and performing tasks, whether it’s getting them out quicker or providing care that’s beneficial to the patient," he said.
Matos explained having a good grasp of those skills is especially important when a tropical storm or hurricane hits Jacksonville.
STAY UPDATED: Download the Action News Jax app for live updates on breaking stories
“Hopefully everybody is home, not riding around during the storm, but you can see this,” he told Action News Jax.
“There’s so much more that we need to expand on – hazmat and other things that we can bring in outside the department that we can bring in and help evolve," he said.
The team’s competition in France begins Sept. 11.
To support the crew, click here.