Monroe County Fire Rescue Chief R.L. Colina joined Good Morning Keys on Keys Talk 96.9/102.5FM this morning to talk about what’s going on in the county.
Crews continue to monitor the Big Pine wildfire, with small pockets of smoldering vegetation still being addressed. State forestry personnel remain on scene along with Monroe County Fire Rescue Station 13 in Big Pine.
The fire’s location and the depth of the dry material beneath the surface have made the response challenging.
“There are still little tiny pockets here and there that are smoldering,” Colina said.
Some of the dry material is located underneath the surface. As tides recede, those areas can heat up and begin smoldering again.
Firefighters and forestry crews have identified many of the problem areas and are working to isolate them and allow remaining green patches to burn out in a controlled manner.
Colina said residents may continue to see occasional smoke, but the fire is now on the downslope from the heavier smoke conditions seen previously.
He also discussed a recent lightning strike involving a boat captain in Islamorada. Islamorada Fire Rescue responded initially before the patient was transported by Trauma Star to definitive care on the mainland.
The captain was later released from the hospital.
Colina called the response a successful team effort and emphasized the importance of Trauma Star to the Florida Keys.
“Trauma Star is such a vital piece for the residents and the visitors down in the Florida Keys,” he said.
Colina also addressed the potential impact of proposed tax reforms on fire rescue services. Monroe County has held special meetings to examine how changes could affect funding, projects and operations.
Fire rescue requires significant funding to staff stations and maintain operations, Colina said, and the department is closely monitoring what happens with the tax reform proposal and where the county stands following the November election.
Meanwhile, Monroe County Fire Rescue is preparing for a busy schedule of community events.
The department will participate in the annual Touch a Truck event Sept. 5 at Hawks Cay Resort as part of the resort’s Hero Salute weekend.
Colina said the event allows residents to see the equipment and resources used by fire rescue, law enforcement and other agencies.
“We try to get as many people out there as possible to kind of display the equipment that protects this community,” he said.
The event will coincide with the Hero Salute 5K, which draws firefighters, sheriff’s deputies, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission personnel and participants from throughout the area.
Another major event will be the Brotherhood Ride, scheduled for October.
Colina said the ride honors first responders who have died in the line of duty and promotes first responder safety.
Monroe County Fire Rescue Lt. Werner will participate in the 10-day, 650-mile ride across Florida along with approximately 22 other riders.
Colina said Werner had never been a long-distance cyclist before taking on the challenge and is now preparing for his third or fourth year participating in the event.
The department will also participate in the annual 9/11 remembrance ceremonies at its fire stations Sept. 11. Members will conduct a small remembrance service and flag ceremony at each station to honor those who died in the terrorist attacks 25 years ago.
Colina noted that some newer firefighters were not yet born when the attacks occurred.
“It’s a part of history, but for us, it’s something that we lived with and have lived through,” he said.
The Tunnels to Towers 5K will take place Nov. 21 and will support fallen and catastrophically injured first responders, military heroes and their families.
Colina said the organization has directly assisted Monroe County Fire Rescue and that the department is proud to support the event.
Colina also shared a personal story involving a recent waterspout. While boating with his son and his son’s fiancée, Colina noticed what appeared to be two weather systems converging over the Gulf.
He decided to head back toward shore, and shortly afterward a large waterspout developed.
Colina photographed the waterspout and sent the images to National Weather Service meteorologist John Rizzo. The photographs, along with the exact time and location of the event, can provide valuable information to the National Weather Service.
Colina joked that he was more of a “storm runner” than a storm chaser.
“We were doing about 30 knots away from that thing,” he said.
Colina said no injuries or other problems were reported as a result of the waterspout.
Monroe County Fire Rescue is also seeing strong interest in recruitment.
Colina said the department received more than 300 applicants for approximately 30 to 35 positions.
Applicants are currently going through a competency testing process before entering the fire academy. The department is preparing to begin its second minimum standards training academy of the year.
Colina said the academy program is rigorous and designed to ensure recruits are prepared for the demands of the job.
He praised the men and women of Monroe County Fire Rescue for their continued service.
“It’s an honor to serve Monroe County, its residents and its visitors,” Colina said. “These men and women of Monroe County Fire Rescue, they’re here 24/7, and we’re just proud to protect this community.”