TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Early Thursday morning, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis announced the deployment of four Urban Search and Rescue Teams (TF-1 and TF2) and two Virginia Teams (VA-1 and VA-2) to Southwest Florida to begin life-saving missions related to Hurricane Ian. The teams deployed out of Fort Lauderdale to Fort Myers.

CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “Early this morning the winds died down, so we got the teams closer to the impacted areas. When there’s light, these teams will be airlifted from the Ft. Myers area to area islands to begin lifesaving missions. Even before sunup, Task Force 2 began reconnaissance missions of Marco Island. Hurricane Ian basically sent the full force of the Gulf of Mexico over these islands, but fortunately Florida’s Urban Search & Rescue teams are the best-of-the-best when it comes to saving lives. They’ve got the training and the equipment to get the job done.” 

Florida Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 1 (FL-1 Miami-Dade County) will be flying out of Fort Myers to the Captiva barrier islands and Florida Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 2 (FL-2 - City of Miami) is on scene and conducting reconnaissance missions of Marco Island. The Virginia Teams are both on scene in Southwest Florida. Each team will be paired with the Florida National Guard and medevac helicopters, so that those that need medical assistance can be immediately flown to safety. Each task force is made up of approximately 90 personnel. These personnel include physicians, structural engineers, search and rescue, and K-9s with handlers.

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About CFO Jimmy Patronis
Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis is a statewide elected official and a member of Florida’s Cabinet who oversees the Department of Financial Services. CFO Patronis works each day to fight insurance fraud, support Florida’s firefighters, and ensure the state’s finances are stable to support economic growth in the state. Follow the activities of the Department on Facebook (FLDFS) and Twitter (@FLDFS).