Areas EMS Crews to Provide Aid in Florida in Response to Hurricane Dorian

Crews from two area EMS companies are headed to Florida in anticipation of Hurricane Dorian's arrival and possible recovery and rescue efforts afterward. 

Both Lakeside EMS and RuralMed are sending crews to assist. In a press release Monday, Lakeside EMS said they are anticipating a 7-14 day operation, but that could change depending on the track of the storm. EMS crews are being stationed at a forward operating base in Lake City, Florida, as seen in their Facebook post below.

As of 8am Tuesday, the National Hurricane Center indicated that the United States may be spared a direct hit by Dorian. Instead, the storm is now forecast to move along the eastern seaboard, far enough out to sea that mainland areas of Florida and Georgia would be spared from the brunt of the storm. Areas of North and South Carolina are now potentially in a larger portion of the storm's path. Hurricane Warnings remain in place along the coast of Florida and southern Georgia.

Lakeside EMS CEO Jerrod Estes told us Monday that the company is sending ambulances and additional medical supplies, led by COO and Paramedic Steven Gray. Crews will work under the guidance of FEMA, state and local agencies.

EMT (and pastor) Brandon Partin (left) and Lakeside COO and Paramedic Steven Gray (right) preparing to leave for Florida

In the release sent Monday, Estes also ensured that Lakeside would not be shortchanging their local coverage, stating, "that sending these resources does not affect our ability to provide timely medical response for all the communities we serve."

RuralMed, in a Facebook post on Friday, stated they had received their orders to mobilize two ambulances toward Georgia. Those crews are currently in Lake City, Florida.