Local firefighters help with search, rescue after hurricane Ian

Calcutta Volunteer Fire help with search, rescue and recovery tasks in Ft. Myers after Hurricane Ian left a path of destruction in its wake.

Fire departments rush into danger on a daily basis, to help save property, people and pets.

The Calcutta Volunteer Fire Department is doing that right now, except they aren't doing it in Columbiana County... but in Ft. Myers, Fla.

Lt. Randy Schneider and another firefighter from neighboring Liverpool Township are in Ft. Myers doing search, rescue, and recovery hours after hurricane Ian tore through the state on Thursday. 

Ft. Myers took a direct hit from the Category 4 hurricane, leaving devastation in its wake. 

The Valley firefighters are there helping with a search, rescue, and recovery operation. 

Schneider and a fellow Liverpool Twp. firefighter arrived in Ft. Myers Thursday.

 Here is a video clip of the damage provide to 21 News by Schneider.

Schneider told 21 News he is seeing complete devastation in the area, saying that unfortunately that many residents didn't expect it to hit in their area and stayed. 

Schneider also told 21 News that he had rescued an elderly couple from the fifth floor of a building, and that the Ft. Myers battalion chief hugged him and thanked him for answering the call for help.

Calcutta is preparing to send a second unit tonight, with another firefighter from its department and possibly up to tow additional from neighboring fire departments. 

Calcutta Fire Chief Dave McCoy told 21 News the second crew would be heading toward Florida within the next few hours, with supplies and rescue equipment. 

However, Hurricane Ian still isn't done. The hurricane made another landfall in South Carolina Friday around 2:30 p.m.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center says Ian’s center came ashore Friday afternoon near Georgetown with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph.

Lake Milton Volunteer Fire Department also has three members helping with search and recovery as well.

Schneider said they would be there until Monday or Tuesday, based on demand and need for the resources and the manpower.