Remembering Michael, Bay County departments eager to help victims of Hurricane Idalia

PANAMA CITY — Remembering the support Bay County received in the wake of Hurricane Michael in 2018, Ben Collier says first responders here are especially passionate about sending help to communities devastated by Hurricane Idalia.

As a lieutenant for Bay County Emergency Services, Collier said at about 2 p.m. Wednesday that first responders from multiple departments across Bay County were gearing up to help the victims of Idalia. The Category 3 storm struck the Big Bend area Wednesday morning, bypassing Bay County.

"We are in a preparation phase," Collier said. "We know we will get sent somewhere. We've already had active requests .... but we're waiting on what they call 'a mission number.' ... It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when at this point in time."

He said the Bay County Sheriff's Office already had deployed deputies to affected areas. Local departments still awaiting orders at that time included Bay County Fire Rescue, Panama City Fire Rescue, Panama City Beach Fire Rescue and the Lynn Haven Fire Department.

Collier said numerous outside departments flocked to Bay County in the wake of Category 5 Hurricane Michael, a storm the area still continues to recover from almost five years since landfall.

Before landfall: As Tropical Storm Idalia shifts west, Bay County now more at risk

"Following (Michael), we were inundated with just an absolutely amazing amount of resources between engine strike teams, ambulance strike teams, USAR task forces (and) law enforcement entities," Collier said. "There were so many (groups) that I can't even remotely name them all.

"When you think about fire departments, fire EMS and law enforcement, we all get into it for different reasons, however, at the end of the day, most of us are there to serve our fellow person. ... It's just in our very nature to give back, especially when we recieve something from somebody else."

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Bay County departments gear up to go help Hurricane Idalia victims