JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Crews with the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department made it safely home back on the First Coast Friday night.
About 80 JFRD volunteers spent nearly a week helping with rescue and recovery efforts following last week's condo collapse in Surfside.
The crew left Jacksonville Sunday to help. The day before the urban search and rescue personnel left, a mobile command center from JFRD also went down to Miami with a crew of volunteers to operate it.
Chief Keith Powers says JFRD volunteers were out on the rubble Wednesday night when crews had to evacuate for their safety due to a shift.
He went down to Miami earlier that day to check-in with his crew. Powers says they are mentally and physically exhausted right now, so he's happy they're back.
“They have seen some things and smelt some things that will never leave their mind again. And we got [counselors] for them to make sure they are in a good way, that’s what they are doing back there right now," Powers explained. "But to tell you that they were smiling. They continually wanted to go on and on to help those people, help those people find closure down there. And hope beyond all hope that they could find somebody alive in that pile.”
Dozens of community members came to show their support and welcome crews by gathering on Alden Road.
James McKeown, who's father Chris McKeown helped in the search, was excited to hug him again.
“I want to thank all the first responders," James said.
Chief Powers says all the volunteers will have at least 96 hours to rest and spend time with their family.
However, they’ll likely have to switch gears fast. He says JFRD is already preparing for Hurricane Elsa to hit the First Coast next week.