Sarasota , FL — January 25th — Special Operations Captain Johnny Rigney represented Sarasota County Emergency Services as the Region 6 delegate at the Florida Association of Hazardous Materials Responders biannual meeting in Daytona Beach. Hazmat teams and public safety partners from all over Florida came together for the event to talk about coordination, response standards, and training.

Highly skilled firefighter/EMTs and firefighter/paramedics make up the Sarasota County Special Operations team, which responds to incidents involving hazardous materials, technical rescue calls, extrication of heavy vehicles and machinery, rope rescue, confined space, and trench crises. Members are also in favor of large-scale incidents and regional mutual help. According to department officials, involvement in statewide groups enhances communication, fortifies readiness, and guarantees uniform response procedures.