JFRD captain hurt in crash has long road to recovery

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A fire captain and father of two girls is in the hospital with serious injuries.

Action News Jax reported Sunday when a fire engine flipped on the side of I-10.

The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department says Capt. Daniel Arms was driving it when he hydroplaned and crashed into a guard rail before overturning.

A passerby pulled Arms out of the truck. Fire Union President Randy Wyse said the captain's injuries are serious.

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“It looks like he went through a very rough ride sliding down the embankment there, and sustained some pretty significant injuries,” Wyse said. JFRD says Capt. Arms was driving to the hospital to pick up his squad. Two firefighters had ridden in the rescue unit to help a patient.

"What you want to do is get that crew back together as quickly as you can so he was trying to get to the hospital as quickly as he can to get his crews back together​," Wyse said.

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He told Action News Jax right after Arms was hurt, support for his wife and two girls started pouring in.

“We got companies, stations feeding them. She was fed last night, had dinner taken care of so our guys and girls are amazing at wrapping their arms around the family and making sure they're taken care of,” he said.

Action News Jax asked JFRD the extent of damage to the truck, and where the money will come from if it needs to be replaced. We’re still waiting to hear back.

Wyse says while the crash is still under investigation, driving a 45,000-pound fire engine is a dangerous job.

“If you see an emergency vehicle, lights and sirens, no matter what it is -- immediately just cautiously pull over to the right and let that vehicle get by you,” he said.

Wyse says Arms' recovery will take a while, but his brothers will be by his side.

Cox Media Group