JFRD helping in search for missing 21-month-old

Fire rescue members bring special equipment, skill set to assist

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville Fire Rescue is now among the 200 members of law enforcement helping in the search for 21-month-old Lonzie Barton.

Randy Wyse, president of the Jacksonville Association of Firefighters, said JFRD members are bringing in special equipment to help. He said Jacksonville firefighters are able to work well in trecherous conditions.

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"Firefighters are very adaptive," said Wyse. "Given a mission, we're going to complete it. They get it completed and say 'we're done, what's the next one?'"

About 40 of Jacksonville's firefighters are joining the team of police officers covering grid after grid, utilizing the search methods and equipment they used after one of America's deadliest hurricanes - Katrina.

"They've trained all over the state doing these type of missions so they're well-trained, well-experienced," said Wyse.

The crews are part of a specially trained urban rescue team - a team that carefully combs through deep woods, brush and residential areas.

Crews are also using canine units associated with a task force. Wyse said they can cover a lot more ground quickly.

"Our biggest part of the search is boots on the ground," said Wyse. "Working, following a good pattern - making sure the search is complete."