The brother of missing JFRD firefighter, Brian McCluney, posted a note on social media Friday, thanking the community for their help in the week-long search.
“Tens of thousands of wonderful people have given, and continue to give, their support in ways I would never have predicted,” Kevin McCluney said on Facebook.
Brian McCluney and his Fairfax, Va. Firefighter friend, Justin Walker, were last seen on Friday, Aug. 16, leaving Port Canaveral for a fishing trip. Brian McCluney’s wife, Stephanie McCluney, became worried after she said she never heard back from her husband.
A nation-wide search involving multiple agencies and hundreds of volunteers began. It spanned over 105,000 square miles – twice the size of Florida – from Port Canaveral, Fla. to New England. The search was officially called off by the U.S. Coast Guard on Thursday at sundown, after a week of searching.
“My family and I have absolute trust, confidence and admiration of the US Coast Guard and partner agencies during the dedicated search for my brother and Justin,” Kevin McCluney said. “… After [Thursday’s] briefing provided by the US Coast Guard, my family has *zero doubt* that the Coast Guard and the *numerous* partner agencies, and *every single one* of the thousands of heroic volunteers in aircraft and watercraft have left no stone unturned in the dedicated search.”
Though the official active search has ended, multiple volunteers and some out-of-state agencies are continuing to find the two men lost at sea, including South Carolina. Representatives with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources said they’ll continue their search throughout the weekend.
READ MORE >> South Carolina authorities continue searching for missing firefighters through the weekend
“We still have hope,” Kevin McCluney said. “Nobody, is giving up. However, my family’s focus now must be on the immediate needs of Brian’s wife and children.
Kevin McCluney added that his family plans to hold a news conference on Monday, Aug. 26, at noon.
You can read the full text below:
“Family and friends,
During any difficult time, the shock of events is unfortunately grounded in practical realities, as well.
Tens of thousands of wonderful people have given, and continue to give, their support in ways I would never have predicted. I feel it important to calirfy several issues regarding the disappearance of Brian McCluney and Justin Walker.
For those of you who chose to assist with material support, please stay tuned for clarification regarding the methods to do so. Work is underway to clarify the process.
An important point of clarification is required. My family and I have absolute trust, confidence and admiration of the US Coast Guard and partner agencies during the dedicated search for my brother and Justin. The information they provided us is an absolutely exhaustive picture of the techniques and technologies used in the search, which is a Search and Rescue effort unprecedented in magnitude within recent history, or perhaps, ever.
Nobody cares more for Brian than we do. After yesterday's briefing provided by the US Coast Guard, my family has *zero doubt* that the Coast Guard and the *numerous* partner agencies, and *every single one* of the thousands of heroic volunteers in aircraft and watercraft have left no stone unturned in the dedicated search.
It is important to remember that *dedicated* searches end only when it would be more effective for SAR assets to resume routine patrols. This is *not* a case of the search being called off, but rather it is reallocating assets into the best search pattern. At this time, a concentrated local search would actually damage the chances of rescue, rather than help it. The Coast Guard stands ready to refocus a dedicated search in any area, on a moment's notice, if even the smallest scrap of hard data comes to light. Their assets and connections literally span the entire world, and if anything turns up, the search will change back from suspended state, to active once again.
We still have hope. Nobody, is giving up. However, my family's focus now must be on the immediate needs of Brian's wife and children. Hope remains, but it is important to remember that the Coast Guard are the masters of Search and Rescue. We do defer to their expertise in this area and advise any concerned parties to do the same.
They are heroes. Never doubt it.
To the end of preventing further damage to my family, I emplore everyone to be judicious in their posts and sharing of information regarding the search. We have been distracted and even directly hurt by well-meaning sharing of incorrect information.
Refer any questions to official channels from federal, state or local agencies, or to our family for clarification. Send any and all evidence from searches to the US Coast Guard.
Keep the faith and stay strong for one another. I cannot hope to fully express my thanks to the heroic people dedicating so much to two such amazing men.
I would like to extend a special thank you to the men and women of the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, who have helped my family by joining it. Your efforts are the best compliment to Brian I could ever imagine, and you honor him, my family, and yourselves by selfless dedication, sincere kindness, and absolute professionalism. I regret that I can never thank you all adequately.
We are currently organizing a press conference for Monday morning at noon. Until then, standby, and please be careful what you share and especially what inferences and implications can and cannot be derived from your sources.”
JFRD is also hoping to use the funds to help the family of the firefighters and pay off debts associated with the massive search.
You can make a donation by visiting www.jfrd.com.