Orange County firefighter recounts administering aid in Puerto Rico

OVIEDO, Fla. — An Orange County fire chief said he and his team treated around 1,300 patients when there were stationed in Puerto Rico for eight days.

Juan Atan said he left with a group of 36 emergency personnel from South and Central Florida and was stationed in Manati on the island.

"Once you see it with your own eyes, it's a whole different ball game," he said.

Read: Orange County elementary school holds forum to help displaced Puerto Rican families adjust

Atan said his team was an acute care unit that took care of patients ranging from people coming in ill to helping the injured.

Video: Puerto Ricans struggle to secure flights off island after Hurricane Maria

"We work long hours. We worked anywhere from 12 to 16 hours. Yes we were tired. But our fuel was when those folks came in and looked at us and smiled," he said.

Watch: Officials: 23K Puerto Ricans evacuate to Orlando, many more waiting on flights

He said what struck him most about the trip was the gratefulness of those affected by the storm.

Photos: Hurricane Maria slams Caribbean 

"Again, that is what gives us fuel to do that. This lady, I mean she basically lost a lot of stuff. She just had a big smile when we brought her on the helicopter, she was a true trooper,” he said.

Video: Supply drive ongoing for students, families displaced to Central Florida from Puerto Rico

He said he isn’t sure if he will be called back to Puerto Rico—as aid workers are still assessing the prolonged need for recovery.

According to Orlando International Airport, nearly 9,000 individuals have visited the Disaster Relief Center there to receive services with relocating to the area.

Read: KUA sends linemen to help Puerto Rico; for some, it's personal

Channel 9's Nancy Alvarez is traveling to the island to survey recovery efforts. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

Cox Media Group