Charlotte County lieutenant helps Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa

Hurricane Melissa left the rural community of Burnt Savannah in southern Jamaica struggling without necessities. Families faced shortages of food, clean water, safe housing, and medical services following the storm.

From November 8 to November 22, 2025, Charlotte County Fire & EMS Lt. Jarrod Gavagni played a crucial role in relief efforts as Operations Section Chief with Project Heal Jamaica. His team focused on delivering essentials to affected residents.

"After a storm like this, food and water mean everything to families who are just trying to get through the day," said Gavagni. "Our goal was to get those basic needs to people as quickly and safely as possible, even in hard-to-reach areas."

The team distributed more than 12,000 hot meals, approximately 10,500 Meals Ready to Eat, and over 1,000 cases of drinking water to those impacted by the storm.

Helping children return to school was also a priority. Response teams worked with local officials to tarp around 10 schools, allowing students to resume classes. Community spaces and nearly 30 homes were also repaired or tarped, with a focus on vulnerable groups, including the elderly and single-parent households.

Access to medical care was challenging due to licensing restrictions, but teams supported local clinics by providing generators and assisting with structural stabilization. Despite damaged roads and localized flooding, efforts continued to ensure communities received necessary services.

"This mission reflects what the fire service stands for at its core, helping people when they need it most," said Acting Fire Chief Matthew McElroy. "Lieutenant Gavagni’s leadership and commitment to service made a meaningful difference for families working to recover and rebuild."

Recovery efforts were guided by local voices, ensuring community needs shaped the mission. Hurricane Melissa's aftermath underscored that recovery is about restoring hope and stability for families to move forward together.