JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — After the shocking Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore, people want to know how would local first responders answer the call if something similar happened in Jacksonville.
The Jacksonville Fire & Rescue Department has five marine stations and depending on the call and the emergency, crews are trained to operate certain boats to assist those in distress. JFRD has a three 39-foot boats that are designated for rivers and it can be used to conduct rescues, recoveries or searches.
In Baltimore, officials said there were vehicles under water. Local officials said their boats are equipped with sonar and side scan equipment. If there is an emergency, vessels such as its 39-foot boat would be utilized to respond to the situation as quick as possible. JFRD said they would have crews on land and water working together.
"You're going to try and find their last location was. We have a chief that's designated over all the marine units but he starts managing the scene while he's in route. He's got people moving to different locations on the shore," Capt. Eric Prosswimmer said. "We have shore units that will try to spot [the objective]. The marine units that take a little longer to get there but they start, basically a search."
Prosswimmer said it is likely Baltimore first responders are presented a challenge: cold water temperatures. Rescue efforts reportedly have changed to recovery efforts and it continued Wednesday.
"We don't have the temperatures that they have. That's a big problem," Prosswimmer added. "Just know that (in Jacksonville) crews are searching for you."
JFRD said they also fly drones and if the situations calls for it, they'll rely on the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office for the agency's helicopter and dive team. Experts said the bridges in Jacksonville, such as the Dames Point, is safe. It has safe guards in place that can take a similar hit like the Key Bridge, but it won't be as damaged.