As Hurricane Dorian approaches the U.S. coast, local firefighters are doing their part to help.
Three firefighters from Marysville, along with 13 others from Washington, Norwich, Jackson, Concord and Liberty townships, have been deployed to Florida to assist with hurricane relief efforts.
The group left for Florida this morning.
Despite the looming conditions, Marysville Division of Fire Chief Jay Riley said the crew is looking forward to supporting those in need.
“We’re super excited to be able to go down and help them out,” he said.
Riley said the group will bring a variety of rescue equipment with them, including several boats and rope. He said they will also bring logistical equipment, like generators, to assist the firefighters while they’re there.
Marysville City Manager Terry Emery said it is “good to be able to work with other agencies” to support the Florida communities.
“They are going to need some help down there and it is great to be able to send some local crews to assist,” Emery said.
The National Hurricane Center predicts Hurricane Dorian will hit the Florida coast late Monday or early Tuesday, although the location is still unsure. Forecasters have cautioned that any part of the state could be ravaged.
The strength of the storm is also unknown, as Hurricane Dorian was a Category 2 storm on Friday, but could strengthen to a Category 4 by time it strikes Florida.
Given the uncertainty surrounding the storm, Emery said there is no exact timeline as to when the firefighters will return.
“How long they’re going to be there will be dependent on what they find when they get down there,” he said.
Emery also said the City of Marysville will pay for the cost of travel and equipment for the firefighters, but will be reimbursed for the expenses.
“Everything is going to be reimbursed 100% to the city, so this is just a good opportunity to help,” he said.
Earlier this year, the city received a check for $26,532.96 from the Ohio Emergency Management Agency as a reimbursement for expenses incurred when city firefighters were sent to NC as part of the Hurricane Florence relief effort in September 2018.