Deputy Chief RL Colina from Monroe County Fire and Rescue joined Good Morning Keys on KeysTalk 96.9/102.5FM this morning to talk about what’s been going on in the county.
Two vessels were involved in a boat fire last night.
Chief Colina said, “We received reports last night about 9:45, over there on Stock Island at Robbie’s Marina, the back end where the boats are put on jackstands sometimes, for regular maintenance or repairs. We had two vessels involved, one about 25 feet and the other one was about a 40, 42 footer, a heavy fire. It is under investigation. We did contact the State Fire Marshal and have our local fire marshal’s office there but one of those tricky fires because of the exposures. Right next to that fire as both of these boats were pretty much fully involved, there was another about 45 foot catamaran sailboat that was a major exposure. So the crews from NCFR did an amazing job. I mean, they just were able to establish a water source from drafting and it took a lot of water even to the point where it seems like once the fuel tanks got involved, we contacted our Monroe County Fire station seven which is for airport firefighting and we had one of their units respond because they carry a large quantity of foam. The foam is one of those key resources that we like to pull in, especially when we’re talking about any type of fuel because what it does is the foam actually creates a blanket over the vapors and it’s the vapors that reignite. So we’re able to cool the area down, we’re able to apply a nice thick blanket of foam over the vessels and get all those hot gases suppressed and keep the flame from reigniting. So they were there ‘til about probably about 1:30 last night.”
Do we know the cause yet?
Chief Colina said, “We had Monroe County Sheriff’s were on scene, they assisted with the county fire marshal’s office to secure the area. We made contact with the State Fire Marshals, and they were coming down this morning, just to try to identify exactly what potentially could have caused the incident and just one of those things we always like to double check, just make sure a lot of times when boats are being repaired, they’re out of the water for some reason, it could be something electrical, but just in case if there’s anything suspicious, we’d like to go ahead and eliminate that.”
There were no injuries.
Chief Colina said, “It’s a great scene when you can say there’s no nobody’s hurt and neither boat was occupied at the time of the fire, and we had no other no other involvement of the other structures. So it went well.”
MCFR also holds Beat the Heat events.
Chief Colina said, “What was success so far this summer. As we round out this summer, I will tell you the events, they’re getting larger and larger. We’ve had great participation with the community, the local schools, just the amount of enthusiasm that is following these type of events, it just encourages Monroe County Fire Rescue. Our staff over there they are a study looking at what else can we do? What else can we do to get out there in the community and get them more involved? Because these events are great. It’s a great time for the firefighters and it’s a great time for the community to kind of get up close to us, meet us, look at some of the equipment, but overall, just have a nice big smile and enjoy the day.”
Four new firefighters were sworn in here recently and three are hotshot graduates.
Chief Colina said, “As we get ready for our next hotshot class, coming up here, mid August, we did have four new high new hires that were sworn in and three of those were definitely through our original program with the hotshots. So we’re very, very excited for them to be part of our department and protection of this community. They’re excited, they’re excited because they’re following a blueprint that Monroe County Fire Rescue has put forth for the community with local residents, being able to acquire a career, a fire career, and we’re there to help them. We have our next class for the hotshots will be starting up I believe it’s towards the end of August, these guys and gals have already been through the process. We’ll get them and we’re always looking for anyone else that’s interested. They can just contact us here at Monroe County Fire Rescue at our headquarters and we can give them all the information, then go to our website, and look up the information for start dates, application requirements. But most of all, if they have a question they can always give us a call. That number for our office is 305-289-6004. It’s just one of those things where we’re very accessible all over the internet to find out any of the information from any of our programs.”
Always remember we are in hurricane season.
Chief Colina said, “We’re prepared 24 hours a day, seven days a week. But I’ll tell you, there’s definitely a heightened during this period, especially with your like it’s been so nice and quiet. It kind of stresses us a little bit. But, we’re doing well. Our preparations never stop whether there’s a storm out there or there’s not a storm out there. Emergency management, they’re on their game, night and day. Monroe County Fire Rescue is on our game and the sheriff’s office, we work so well as partners and collaborate together to make sure that the minute something is going to affect us, the plans are already in place. We’ve been through several mock type scenarios drills at the EEOC. We’re in good hands, the community is in good hands.”
Fireworks displays require a permit through Monroe County Fire Rescue.
Chief Colina said, “It was another successful Fourth of July on the Fire Rescue side we had nothing significant to report which means that messages are getting out there. People are you enjoying their time with their families and enjoying the day, but also a large presence of safety seems to follow that. So we want to continue that throughout the year always and definitely if there’s any type of event that you’re good to do, you have to think about it, if there’s a question. Should I contact them? Do I need a permit? Just go ahead and give us a call and we’ll definitely put you in the right direction.”
National Night Out is also on the horizon on August 6
Chief Colina said, “It’s another great time to go out there. The sheriff’s office and Key West PD, they bring a lot of their resources out. It’s kind of a show. FWC, they’re present during these events. Key West FD, ourselves, Marathon, Islamorada, everyone else we participate with and make this a great, great evening to get out, get some good food and visit with some of the local responders out there. So it’s a great, great time to get out there. We’re proud to serve the community. We’re proud to be part of the Florida Keys and you guys are well protected under us.”
For more information, click here: https://www.monroecounty-fl.gov/firerescue