Nearly five years after a fiery explosion aboard the Hӧegh Xiamen cargo ship at Blount Island that critically and seriously injured nine Jacksonville firefighters, a current JFRD battalion chief is speaking out, saying key decisions made that day put lives at risk.
Battalion Chief Chip Drysdale, who served as the forward operations chief during the June 4, 2020, ship fire, is preparing to retire later this year. But before he leaves the department, he said he wants to set the record straight.
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“JFRD was not prepared or trained for that day,” Drysdale told Action News Jax Ben Becker in an exclusive interview. “Absolutely not. No, sir.”
The fire that changed everything
The blaze broke out aboard a cargo ship carrying more than 2,400 junk vehicles headed to Africa. Within minutes, massive plumes of smoke poured into the air as fire crews rushed to the scene.
ORIGINAL STORY: At least 9 Jacksonville firefighters hurt while fighting ship fire at Blount Island …