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Hurricane Idalia: Local, state agencies prepare to deploy to storm’s aftermath

ORLANDO, Fla. — While Hurricane Idalia is still moving through the Gulf and eyeing landfall near Florida’s Big Bend region, first responders from Central Florida and around the state are closely watching and waiting.

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They’ll be mobilizing to areas hardest hit by this major storm.

In recent days, they’ve been planning and strategizing as best they can so they’re ready to hit the ground running when Idalia’s aftermath becomes reality.

READ: LIVE UPDATES: Hurricane Idalia nears Florida as major Category 3 storm

In Orlando, members of several local fire rescue agencies have positioned themselves at the Orange County Convention Center.

They include MARC 5 and Task Force 4.

READ: Hurricane Idalia: How to check power outages, what to do if you lose power

Teams have been collecting and loading supplies that will be used and distributed during post-hurricane cleanup.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue has also staged at the convention center.

Photos: Hurricane Idalia impacts Florida

Members are ready to respond to the worst damage that Hurricane Idalia leaves behind.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement recently announced the activation of its State Emergency Operations Center Team to support ongoing operations.

READ: Hurricane Idalia: Share your photos & video

FDLE said it has already started setting up equipment and mobile command posts at strategic locations.

In addition to heavy equipment that includes everything from cargo trucks to chainsaws, FDLE has 80 agents and analysts who are ready to deploy.

READ: Hurricane Idalia: What is a king tide and how will it affect Idalia?

The Florida Department of Transportation took to social media to share images of its preps to offer assistance whenever and wherever it’s needed in the coming days.

Among FDOT’s inventory — nearly 1,100 generators that crews will use to get power restored to traffic signals in areas impacted by the storm.

In the coming days, members of these agencies may be stepping into different communities, but their mission to help and keep others safe will remain the same.

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