Local Firefighters Help Lake County During COVID-19 Surge

LAKE COUNTY, FL — Firefighters from two local agencies – Sarasota County Fire Department and the city of North Port Fire Rescue – have traveled to Lake County in Central Florida to give first responders there a break during the COVID-19 surge.

“Basically, they’re helping us relieve some of our first responders who have been working nonstop through COVID,” Samantha Shylkofski, Lake County public information officer, said.

Lake County Fire Rescue is also facing staffing challenges, as some first responders there are out with COVID-19 related health issues, she added.

On Sunday, North Port deployed a battalion chief and ambulance crew to Lake County, while Sarasota County sent two firefighter/paramedics, a supervisor and an ambulance there, the agencies shared to Facebook.

“While we know there’s work to be done here, there are other cities who need our help when it comes to COVID-19,” the city of North Port wrote on its Facebook page. “Lake County Fire Rescue is down multiple fire stations due to the virus among their personnel. The department is looking for outside help to cover their county and their residents. Fortunately, we have enough coverage in our city to be able to provide some assistance.”

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The deployments will last for 14 days from the date they started, Shylkofski said. Lake County leaders will reevaluate the fire department’s needs at the end of two weeks.

Other counties in the area are dealing with staffing issues because of the pandemic, she added.

“All of Central Florida is having this issue, so it’s not unique to us. We’re a little confident that some folks (in other counties) will be making similar requests,” Shylkofski said. “It’s unfortunate. It really is, but COVID’s presented challenges for everybody.”