MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Memphis area first responder team is helping people in Florida as Hurricane Milton is expected to landfall on Wednesday.
The company, Vital Medical Transport, sent crews on Sunday to St. Petersburg, Florida to assist with evacuation efforts.
Chief Financial Officer Matt Schipper told ABC24 the company sent 20 paramedics and EMTs and more than 10 ambulances. He said those first responders recently returned from helping victims from Hurricane Helene.
"It is very rare to be out and then have to stay out on one hurricane and then get more people to support the next one," Schipper said.
Schipper said it took their crews 12 hours to arrive to St. Petersburg, despite navigating downed trees and other challenges Hurricane Helene left behind after passing through.
"We've got a lot of EMT and paramedics who are Memphians that have answered the call and gotten our trucks and they're away from their home and their families for weeks at a time to do this," he said. "So we're very happy that the community has stepped up and they're professional."
Schipper told ABC24 those crews in Florida have more than enough essentials to get them through the first few days before Milton hits.
"They rest when they can rest, and we made sure that when they left here, their ambulances were packed with what they needed for the first 72 hours, food, water, things like that," Schipper said.
Schipper said at this time they do not have a timeframe when those paramedics and EMTs can come home. He said the plan is for them to stay in Florida until they are no longer needed.
"They're excited to be there to help the people of Florida. They're available and I believe they are on missions as we speak right now," he said.
Schipper told ABC24 after their food supply runs out the federal government will provide them with additional resources as they continue their mission in Florida.