JFRD's Specialized Team is prepping for deployment ahead of Dorian

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department is preparing for any potential flooding and water rescues our area could see as Hurricane Dorian makes its way closer to Florida.

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JFRD has a specialized team made up of more than 200 people called the Urban Search and Rescue Team. It's one of only eight teams that exist in Florida.

These are the crews that respond to emergency calls when the water starts to rise.

“We’ll send teams up there with boats if needed and try to get the residents out of their house or other buildings wherever they maybe trapped,” said Chief Sean Hatchett, who heads the Urban Search and Rescue Team.

On Friday, Action News Jax watched as the team members brought in their equipment, such as firetrucks and boats, to make sure they are in good shape ahead of the storm in case they are needed for rescues.

The same crews jumped into action, rescuing people from floodwaters after Hurricane Irma hit in 2017.

The crews are also the ones who cut down trees, making sure the roads are clear so other first responders can answer 911 calls.

Every time there is a natural disaster, the team members deploy and last year, they were among the first to put boots on the ground for Hurricane Michael.

“It came through and then within an hour or so we were in there checking some of the 911 calls they were getting with people trapped in nursing homes and hospitals and different places,” Hatchett said.

JFRD officials told Action News Jax they’re paying close attention to the storm and they anticipate water rescues this time around if the storm is anything like Irma.

“We kind of expect the same potential impact that Irma left us with. Remember Irma had a lot of rain before the storm and then the storm came a long and just added to that,” Hatchett said.

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