'Help is on the way': Volunteers, first responders from Tallahassee aid in aftermath of Ian

Tallahassee first responders and several local organizations are sending volunteers and supplies to aid those affected by Hurricane Ian, which ravaged southwest Florida before moving through the state, causing historic storm surge, flash floods and leaving more than 2.6 million Floridians without power.

The Tallahassee Fire Department's Urban Search and Rescue team was activated by the state to help along Florida's west coast, according to city spokesperson Alison Faris.

About two dozen team members were deployed to the Lee County area and are "prepared to move where needed," Faris said.

Answering the call for mutual aid, City of Tallahassee electric crews, including 21 workers, left around noon Thursday to support Orlando Utilities restore power across the region.

Tallahassee International Airport staff, meanwhile, have staged multiple semi-trucks loaded with supplies in preparation for a response to areas impacted by the storm.

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"We stand with our neighbors to the south. Our highly skilled crews will perform rescue operations and rebuild electric infrastructure," said Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey in a prepared statement. 

"Through it all, they will demonstrate the professionalism and heart that Tallahassee is known for. To our fellow Floridians, stay strong. Help is on the way."

Local Salvation Army, Red Cross chapters respond

Tallahassee's Salvation Army, located at 2410 Allen Road, was sending a large food truck "ready to go," equipped with enough supplies serve 500 meals upon arrival, said spokesperson Margo Armistead late Thursday morning.

"We're expecting to send it out either Friday or Saturday with the full crew on board to get it all down to Central Florida," Armistead said, adding that at least 35 other "mobile feeding units" across the state have been set up by Salvation Army chapters.

The American Red Cross Capital Area Chapter, 1115 Easterwood Dr., began accepting volunteers from around the country late last week. 

An estimated 700 volunteers across all Florida Red Cross chapters were deployed ahead of the storm's Wednesday afternoon landfall in Costa Caya, on the southwest Florida coast. Between 150-200 of those were sent from Tallahassee, said Sharon Council Tyler, executive director of Tallahassee's Red Cross chapter.

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Dozens more awaited for conditions to improve in central Florida areas, including Seminole and Orange counties, before heading down to assist in the recovery effort early Thursday.

"We've had volunteers from Michigan, Minnesota — really from all over," Tyler said. "It's incredible."

The Tallahassee headquarters was used as a staging area where volunteers packed and sent out at least 15 box trucks with food, water and emergency supplies between Saturday and Tuesday. More were being loaded Thursday morning.

Red Cross shelters are also soon transitioning from evacuation shelters — which are "more like lifeboats with water and snacks but without cots so they can be filled" — to storm shelters, which are equipped with beds and blankets to house people for longer, said Tyler. 

Tyler was the executive director when Hurricane Michael ravaged the Florida Panhandle in October 2018, causing 49 deaths and billions of dollars in damage.

The Red Cross designated Hurricane Michael a "level seven," meaning it requires the Red Cross' highest level of operation. Hurricane Ian received the same label.

"It will be a long, long road to recovery for the state," said Tyler. "And we'll be there."

Contact Christopher Cann at ccann@tallahassee.com and follow @ChrisCannFL on Twitter.

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