First Central Florida Florence strike team returns home

Orlando, Fla. — Ambulance Strike Team(AST) 501, which consists of five, two person rescue units from Orange and Seminole County have returned home after being more than a week in North Carolina helping those affected by Hurricane Florence.

The team was escorted to Orange County Fire Rescue Station 30 on South Hastings Street, where they were greeted with cheers, hugs, family and other members of their firefighters.

The team responded to 44 calls and transported 25 patients during their time in the Carolinas.

Another team, AST-502, which provided relief for the team, left Central Florida on September 18. This team also features firefighters from Orange and Seminole County. That team will utilize the remaining ambulances from the previous team to continue with assistance in the Carolinas. AST-502 is expected to be back in Florida sometime next week.