“From here on out we will be in full operational mode,” Capt. Randy Hunter said on Thursday morning.
The fire district has around 125 personnel prepared to go out in the storm conditions from its eight operating stations, but will only send people until sustained winds reach 45 mph, Hunter said.
“That’s for the safety of our first responders,” Hunter said. “After the storm, we have to be able to come back through and all of our personnel have to be ready to respond to that.”
Hunter urged any residents who have not yet evacuated to do so immediately.
“If you haven’t left yet, please don’t wait until the last minute,” he said. “If the power goes out, you're going to be stuck.”
Fire district officials also they have answered only seven calls in the last 24 hours. The average is 23 calls for the fire district. They hope that falling number means people have either left or are in the process of doing so.
During the group’s 6 a.m. planning meeting, fire officials also said they will meet with security officers from area gated communities. They also said the district has two boats and trucks capable of moving brush at its disposal.
The fire district expects Hurricane Matthew to reach the area by Friday night or Saturday morning as it approaches Florida’s eastern coast.
Caitlin Turner: 843-706-8184, @Cait_E_Turner
Hurricane Matthew
Source: National Hurricane Center
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