PITTSBURGH (100.1 FM and AM 1020 KDKA) As Florida braces for Hurricane Ian, a group of local first responders are driving down to help.
First responders from Murrysville Medic One, Rostraver/West Newton Ambulance, and Fayette EMS are driving to Orlando Tuesday in their ambulances stocked with supplies.
Darrick Gerano is the administrative director of Murraysville Medic One and says their responsibilities will change based on need.
“Prior to the storm we will be doing evacuations,” Gerano said. “Once the storm hits, we’ll switch over to a 9-1-1 mode.”
The first responders are preparing for whatever the hurricane may throw at them.
“We can be assisting with medical emergencies, water rescues, locating people.”
Florida has already started getting heavy rain from Hurricane Ian.
It is expected to intensify into a catastrophic Category 4 hurricane before its most damaging winds hit the peninsula on Wednesday.
Gerano says it’s important for everyone to lend a hand to those in need.
“It’s just something that’s in our blood,” Gerano said. “It’s what we do on a day-to-day basis, just on a larger scale.”
Authorities in Cuba evacuated more than 50,000 people and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says an estimated 2.5 million people are under evacuation orders.