Hair raises issue for some Jacksonville firefighters who bristle at handling of policy
A group speaking on behalf of Black firefighters within the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department says an issue over hair is being used against some firefighters. The question is whether firefighters should be allowed to have braids and dreadlocks -- or whether they create a safety issue.
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Person critically burned in Westside house fire
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – One person was critically injured Wednesday morning in a house fire on Delta Avenue, between Hamilton and Cassat avenues, according to Jacksonville Fire and Rescue. Firefighters said the person was out of the house when the first units arrived just before 10 a.m.Other than broken windows, little damage was seen on the exterior of the house. No additional details were provided about the condition of the person burned.
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Trailblazing Black Jacksonville firefighters experienced racism, sexism on the job
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – For the dozens of Black firefighters that work in Jacksonville today, there are four trailblazers that opened the door. They endured racism and sexism as the first Black men and women to work for Jacksonville Fire and Rescue after the Reconstruction era. Glenda Hopkins, Alonza Bronner, George Smith and Wanda Butler were all firefighters in Jacksonville serving for decades. At the time Smith and Bronner said they did not feel welcomed by their fellow white firefighters. Butler, Hopkins, Bronner and Smith found themselves battling fires, saving lives and fighting for equality at the same time.
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FHP: Car plunges into river after crash on Dames Point Bridge
A car that went off the Dames Point Bridge Saturday night was pulled out of the river Sunday morning. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A car was pulled out of the St. Johns River Sunday morning after the vehicle went over the side of the concrete wall of the Dames Point Bridge following a crash Saturday night with another car in the southbound lanes, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Troopers said the 27-year-old driver of the vehicle that went over the side was able to exit his vehicle and had only minor injuries. All southbound lanes on I-295 were closed for an hour while the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department got the driver out of the water and police cleared the scene. The next morning, the vehicle that went off the side of the bridge was pulled from the water.
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FHP: Man, 18, dies after being hit by 2 cars on Northside
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – An 18-year-old man was killed Friday night when he was hit by two cars on Main Street south of Sara Drive on the Northside of Jacksonville, troopers said. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the man was hit by a sedan headed south on Main Street, and then was hit by a second sedan in the roadway. He died at the scene. The 56-year-old woman driving the first car and the 24-year-old man driving the second car were both wearing seat belts and were not injured, troopers said.
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Man missing after falling off fishing boat near Buckman Bridge
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Crews are searching for a 20-year-old man after an empty boat was found Thursday morning near the Buckman Bridge. The boat hit one of the pillars of the bridge, and by the time Jacksonville Fire and Rescue personnel found it, no one was aboard. AdNEW VIDEO: A multi-agency search is on after a boat hit one of the pillars of the Buckman Bridge this morning. By the time Jacksonville Fire and Rescue personnel found it, no one was aboard. Rescue vehicles on the Buckman Bridge were blocking two lanes of traffic on the westbound side Thursday morning, which caused some major delays.
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One person rescued from apartment fire by JFRD
JFRD firefighters rescued one person out of an apartment fire on Friden Dr. Saturday night. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville Fire and Rescue crews rescued one person from an apartment on fire in the Ribault neighborhood Saturday night. In a tweet, JFRD says crews rushed to the apartment located on Friden Drive at around 9:10 p.m. Once there, firefighters battled heavy flames and smoke coming out of the building. Within minutes, firefighters managed to pull one person out of the apartment. JFRD said they cleared the apartment and found no other residents.
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Detour on Union Street for several days after fire at old downtown funeral home
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Part of Union Street will be closed for several days after a three-alarm fire that started Saturday at an abandoned commercial building in downtown Jacksonville, authorities said. Jacksonville police also taped off Union Street between Laura and Main streets. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said Sunday that due to the fire, Union Street at Main Street will remain closed for several days, creating traffic delays for those coming into downtown on eastbound Union Street. The current detour diverts eastbound Union Street traffic to southbound Laura Street. Due to yesterday's structure fire, Union St. will remain closed for several days.
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Firefighters battle massive blaze in downtown Jacksonville
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville Fire and Rescue crews battled a massive fire at an abandoned funeral home Downtown that took a little over an hour to get under control and involved the collapse of the roof and second floor, fire officials said. Flames could be seen pouring from the building at Main and Union streets as firefighters battled to douse the fire with several ladder trucks from above. Eventually, more than 45 apparatus and over 110 firefighters were on scene to battle the blaze, which they were able to get under control in a little over an hour. Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry tweeted video of the firefighters, asking for prayers as they battled the dangerous blaze. Riska said State, Union and Laura streets downtown were all closed as firefighters battled the flames, but that they would reopen as crews were released from the scene.
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Jacksonville firefighters begin receiving COVID-19 vaccine
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – About 25 Jacksonville Fire and Rescue employees, including Chief Keith Powers, received the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday afternoon. The remaining 1,600 JFRD employees will begin getting the vaccine next week -- a process that’s expected to last several days. The city said it is important that JFRD employees get vaccinated early because about 900 paramedics will be used to administer the shots to the public as early as next month. Clay County told News4Jax its firefighters will also be involved in giving shots to the public but they have not received any vaccine. Statewide more than 68,000 people have received either Pfizer’s or Moderna’s vaccine as of Wednesday.
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Man shot several times in Downtown Jacksonville
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – This morning at 4:15, JSO patrol officers responded to a shooting on the 100 Block of N. Julia Street. They found an adult male with several gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital by Jacksonville Fire and Rescue with life threatening injuries. JSO has an adult male suspect in custody. If you have information regarding this incident please call the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office at 904-630-0500, or jsocrimetips@jaxsheriff.org to email them.
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Woman killed at park is Jacksonville’s 162nd homicide of 2020
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A woman in her 20s was found shot to death Monday morning at Normandy Park, according to Jacksonville Fire and Rescue. A weapon and other evidence were located between where the victim was found and where the subject was taken into custody. “The witnesses provided a clothing and a physical description and the general area which he fled on foot,” JSO homicide Sgt. Her uncle, Timothy Williams, identified the victim as Ta’Liyah Williams. Tuesday morning the Sheriff’s Office identified the suspect, Deiondre Lewis, 22, as the man who was taken into custody.
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JFRD: Person pulled from water on Little Talbot Island
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A person was pulled from the ocean Saturday afternoon off Little Talbot Island, according to Jacksonville Fire and Rescue. It happened at about 4 p.m. near Heckscher Drive. The person’s condition is unknown, but it was reported they had a heart attack.
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Police: Argument between cars leads to deadly shooting
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – One man is dead and another was hospitalized after a shooting Friday night that Jacksonville police said stemmed from an argument at an intersection on the Westside. He said that at about 8:30 p.m., a patrol officer made contact with the black car near Wilson Boulevard and I-295. “We are possibly looking for an outstanding white vehicle. “All we do know is that the black car was shot,” he said. “We do not know, we cannot say that there was anybody inside the car shooting back.”The victims in the shooting were not identified.
Jacksonville Fire-Rescue finds smoke, no fire on ship at Blount Island
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A large number of fire engines responded to a report of a shipboard fire at the Jacksonville Port Authority’s Blount Island docks Tuesday night, but it appears nothing was on fire. The cargo carrier Hoegh told Jacksonville Fire and Rescue that five cars aboard the ship were on fire. Shortly after 11:30 p.m., Jacksonville Fire-Rescue tweeted: “Command has called this situation under control.... our crews are going home.” No injuries were reported. If the ship looks familiar, you might recall in June when a similar-looking cargo ship caught fire at Blount Island. A total of eight firefighters were injured when an explosion occurred on that ship while they were battling the fire.
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Police swarm Hilltop Village Apartments after double shooting
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – At least 20 units from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office responded to a shooting Wednesday evening at a Northwest Jacksonville apartment complex. Lt. John Gay, with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, said units were called to the Hilltop Village Apartments shortly after 3:30 p.m. Two men were found shot. He said the shooting occurred in the courtyard. The motive for the shooting is unknown. Anyone with information was asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office or make an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida.
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Swimmer rescued from ocean Saturday morning in Atlantic Beach
ATLANTIC BEACH, Fla. – A person was taken to the hospital Saturday morning after being rescued from the ocean off Atlantic Beach, authorities said. Jacksonville Fire and Rescue said the swimmer was in serious condition. RELATED: Woman pulled from Jacksonville Beach surf with husband Tuesday dies, sources sayJacksonville Beach Ocean Rescue said the swimmer was reported missing around 9 a.m. Saturday in North Jacksonville Beach and was found two hours later in Atlantic Beach, about 4 miles away. There were dangerous surf conditions in the ocean, including high surf and rough waves. Rob Emahiser with Ocean Rescue said people should keep in mind it’s late in the season, so they only have a few lifeguards out.
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Multiple RVs destroyed by fire at Orange Park lot
ORANGE PARK, Fla. – Several recreational vehicles caught on fire on the parking lot of a travel store in Orange Park earlier this afternoon. Jacksonville Fire and Rescue rushed to the scene near Blanding Boulevard and Longchamp Drive around 4:00 p.m.JFRD released video of tall flames taking taking over at least 3 RVs parked side-by-side. Firefighters say no one was injured. The cause of the fire is being investigated.
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Pearl Street shut down after gas line breaks
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A section of Pearl Street will be shut down Monday afternoon while crews from JEA do work in the area on a broken gas line. According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the road was shut down between 15th and 18th street around 11 a.m. and will be closed for several hours. Jacksonville Fire and Rescue said a hazmat team responded after a broken gas line and water main break was reported.
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Jacksonville Fire Rescue: 1 rescued from apartment fire
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Firefighters were called to extinguish a fire Thursday night in Jacksonvilles Durkeeville neighborhood. According to Jacksonville Fire and Rescue, one person was rescued. The apartment complex is on Palafox Street just north of Kings Road. The fire was brought under control within a few minutes.
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Firefighters hospitalized after engine overturns along I-95
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. A fire engine went off Interstate 95 near Emerson Street and overturned Wednesday afternoon. A Jacksonville Fire and Rescue spokesman said all firefighters aboard the vehicle were hospitalized even though there appeared to be no significant injures. This happened about 2:45 p.m. and continues to block two fo the four soutbound lanes, which has caused significant backups. JFRD said they will provide details of the accident and the injuries in a briefing at 5 p.m.
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Car, motorcycle crash results in fatality
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville Fire and Rescue responded to the scene of a crash on Art Museum Drive and Atlantic Boulevard Sunday night. Crews found a car and motorcycle had crashed resulting in critical injuries. Crews are responding to a traffic accident at Art Museum dr and Atlantic blvd involving a motorcycle vs a car... S12 is on scene advising critical injuries....expect delays in the area. — MyJFRD (@JFRDJAX) July 6, 2020The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office provided an update that the crash did result in a fatality. JFRD said traffic in the area should expect delays.
4th of July safety: Sparklers burn at 2,000 degrees
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were an estimated 900 emergency department-treated injuries in the U.S. associated with sparklers in 2019. Jimmy Patronis, the state fire marshal, released these fireworks safety guidelines. Beware of allowing young children to play with sparklers – Fireworks or sparklers can reach temperatures of more than 1200 degrees, which can cause third degree burns. Consider attending a professional fireworks show – The best opportunity to protect yourself and your family from fireworks injuries is to let a trained professional handle the fireworks. Professional fireworks shows may be impacted by COVID-19 guidelines.
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Nassau teacher, her father killed after tree falls on SUV mid-drive
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Two people died after an tree fell on an SUV on the Northside just before noon Thursday, Jacksonville Fire and Rescue confirmed. The oak tree fell across the road, striking the car mid-drive. The West Nassau High School athletic director told News4Jax that Carrie Higginbotham, a math teacher at the school, died in the crash. She said that the 37-year-old’s father was also in the SUV and died. The high school posted on Facebook:Drivers following behind the car say they were horrified.
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After putting out blaze, firefighter makes 2-year-olds day
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. The second floor of a home under construction in Avondale was heavily damaged by a fire early Monday morning. The fire marshal is investigating since there were indications the fire to a home on Boone Park Avenue just north of Hershel Street was intentionally set. Jacksonville Fire and Rescue responds to home fires almost every day in some part of town, they do their job, roll up their hoses and leave. JFRD District Chief Trevor Hyer took that as his cue. With that, Emmett Faulkner got a full tour of Engine 23, ending with him and his mom in the drivers seat.
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Vehicle catches fire in garage of Ponte Vedra townhome
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – A vehicle caught fire in the garage of a home in Ponte Vedra Beach on Monday morning, authorities said. The fire was reported at 9:37 a.m. near Ponte Vedra Boulevard and Corona Road. St. Johns County Fire Rescue and they called Jacksonville Fire and Rescue for mutual aid. The fire was contained to the garage and limited damage was reported, SJCFR said. Firefighters said no injuries were reported.
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After firefighter tests positive, 24 more are quarantined
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. A firefighter from a Southside firehouse tested positive for COVID-19 will be off the job for 14 days, as will 24 others who were around him, the city of Jacksonville said Thursday. Many of those were from Fire Station 21 on Powers Avenue, but some were also from a training class that the infected firefighter attended Wednesday morning. These are not the first from Jacksonville Fire and Rescue to test positive or require quarantine. The company will do it again Friday at the Jacksonville Association of Firefighters union hall on Stockton Street. This deep cleaning was scheduled before the latest firefighter tested positive.
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JFRD: Mobile home catches on fire in the Ortega neighborhood
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue says that a mobile home caught on fire near the 5200 block of Collins Road in the Ortega neighborhood. Crews rushed to the scene at around 6 a.m., and immediately started fighting flames coming out of the home. JFRD says the fire is now under control. No injuries have been reported so far. The Red Cross is currently helping one individual who was displaced by the incident.
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JFRD chief on cargo ship explosion: 'We came very close to losing some firefighters
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Five days after nine Jacksonville firefighters were injured battling a huge blaze inside a car-carrier ship docked at Blount Island Marine Terminal, all but two are out of the hospital. The firefighters escaped the ship with their lives, but with burns to their heads and hands. JFRD Chief Kieth Powers was there as the explosion happened. We came very close to losing some firefighters the other night," Powers said. Wyse is concerned that all of the firefighters involved may also have mental scars of trauma from this life-changing moment.
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Driver killed in Oceanway crash
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A man was killed Saturday morning in a single-vehicle crash in Oceanway, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. JSO said the male driver was heading east in the 3000 block of New Berlin Road around 7:30 a.m. when his vehicle left the road and struck a ditch. The unidentified victim was pronounced dead at the scene by Jacksonville Fire and Rescue. The driver was the only person in the vehicle, JSO said, and the cause of the crash is still under investigation. New Berlin Road was closed in both directions following the crash but later reopened.
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Woman who barricaded herself in Atlantic Beach home in custody
ATLANTIC BEACH, Fla. The woman who had barricaded herself in a home on Cavalla Road in Atlantic Beach early Wednesday morning was taken into custody about 10:30 a.m., according to police. Police said she fired several shots while in the house, but not at officers and SWAT team members who had surrounding the house. Atlantic Beach police officers, Jacksonville Fire and Rescue personnel and members of the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office were at the scene. Her name has not been released, but police she had outstanding warrants for aggravated assault and discharging a firearm. News4Jax as a crew at the scene and will have a live report on the newscast at noon.
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JFRD: Jacksonville overdose calls increased 20% in March
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As COVID-19 cases continued to rise and the state and city began putting restrictions in place, the number of overdose calls went up. Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Cheif Keith Powers said Monday the agency saw a 20% increase in overdose calls from February to March. The new data from JFRD shows every week in March 2020 there was an increase in overdose calls when compared to 2019. Since the increase in overdose calls, JFRD has distributed over 900 nasal Narcan kits. And as Pietak and other health officials continue to monitor the coming months April is also showing an increase in overdose calls.
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JFRD fire engine accidentally hits child in Jacksonville Heights
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Neighbors in the Oak Hill Park area of Jacksonville Heights captured on surveillance footage the moment a girl was hit by a Jacksonville Fire and Rescue truck Saturday moments after it pulled out of Station 31 on Hillman Drive. A resident in the area told News4Jax the girl got spooked by a neighbor’s dog and ran out into the street. That’s when the fire truck hit her. The neighbor did not want to be identified but said the truck had its lights on but no siren. JFRD Spokesperson Eric Prosswimmer said he cannot comment on the incident as it was an active Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office investigation.
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Jacksonville Fire & Rescue looking for people to join its apprentice program
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department is seeking young men and women to join its apprentice program. The program focuses on people in specific Jacksonville ZIP codes (see details below). The apprentice program has been around since 2016. Dwayne Lee, who went on to become a Jacksonville firefighter, was the first person to graduate from the program. He graduated from the apprentice program in fall 2017 and became a Jacksonville firefighter in January 2018.
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Police investigate shooting near Jacksonville University
Published: February 14, 2020, 5:49 am Updated: February 14, 2020, 7:19 amJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is investigating a shooting outside an apartment complex near Jacksonville University. Police received several 911 calls about 11:22 p.m. Thursday reputing multiple gunshots in the area of Tall Pine Lane West. One block over at the Miramar Apartments on University Boulevard, a woman called police to report that her boyfriend had been shot. Jacksonville Fire and Rescue transported the victim to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. If you know anything about this incident, call the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, (904) 630-0500, or Firstcoast Crime Stoppers, (904) 398-3775.
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Man on the mend after being struck by Jacksonville Fire & Rescue pickup
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After being sent to the hospital, a man is recovering from being struck by a Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department pickup truck downtown. It was dark outside, and the video shows the man walking in the crosswalk at the intersection of Julia and Forsyth streets. Steven Stolter, the man who was struck, said he had the right of way, and the video appears to confirm his claim. After he was struck, the driver of the truck is seen immediately getting out and rendering aid. When asked for comment, a JFRD spokesperson told News4Jax the department could not comment because the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is still investigating the incident.
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Jacksonville firefighters investigate house fire in Grand Park
JACKSONVILLE, Fla – Jacksonville Fire and Rescue crews requested a fire marshal to help determine what caused a home to go up in flames early Monday morning. The fire started at a house on Lionell Street, near West 26th Street in the Grand Park neighborhood. JFRD reported the house was all clear less than 30 minutes after arriving. The home appeared to be abandoned.
Man dies in southwest Jacksonville crash
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. The Jacksonville Sheriffs Office responded to the Chimney Lakes area in reference to a crash on Argyle Forest Boulevard near the intersection of Shindler Drive just before 2 a.m. Sunday. There they found a single car had crashed. Jacksonville Fire and Rescue also responded and pronounced one man dead at the scene. Traffic Homicide detectives are investigating the details of the crash.

Resident, firefighter injured in mobile home fire near Oceanway
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Firefighters with the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department responded to a fire at a mobile home on Naomi Drive in the Oceanway area Saturday morning. Two people were injured in the fire, including a resident of the home who was burned, Fire and Rescue said. A firefighter injured his ankle while working to extinguish the fire. JFRD said a second firefighter fell through the roof and landed on his feet. A JFRD captain said not to do this and leave it to them to help and make the rescues.

Generator fire causes fireball in RV City
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Jacksonville Fire and Rescue responded to a fire in RV City, a popular tailgate spot ahead of the Florida-Georgia game, just after 7 p.m. on Thursday. JFRD said a generator sparked the fire that spread to a personal RV. No one was injured and the fire was quickly extinguished. A nearby tailgater captured video of the massive blaze and posted it to Facebook. Copyright 2019 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.

Family, community honor life of missing Jacksonville firefighter
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Brian McCluney was a humble servant who was reserved about his faith but loud in his day-to-day contact with everyone he met, his pastor said Friday. McCluney's family held a celebration of life Friday morning for the 38-year-old Jacksonville firefighter who disappeared while out at sea 10 weeks ago. WATCH: Video from JFRD gives look inside celebration of life |GALLERY: Family photos of Brian McCluney, Justin WalkerMcCluney's brother described him as a humble and brave man who loved God and his family. "Every single thing on that boat should be labeled because we've gotten pictures of a life vest and there are a million orange life vests. Walker's family drove from Virginia to take part in McCluney's celebration of life service.

Fire chief: 1 of 2 firefighters slashed by patient nearly died
Powers said the patient, later identified as Tony Harris, was calm when they loaded him in the rescue unit headed to UF Health Jacksonville. As the rescue unit drove through Springfield, the patient got up off the stretcher, grabbed a box cutter from the pocket of the firefighter who was caring for him, Capt. Powers said that may have saved Norris' life. Powers says the attack came without warning -- that the patient was initially calm in the rescue unit and not displaying any issues. Powers said firefighters and paramedics often carry knives or box cutters for cutting through items like seat belts to reach victims.