Rattlesnake Checks Out Polk County Firefighters In Action (Video)

POLK COUNTY, FL — Polk County firefighters aren’t rattlesnake whisperers, but it seems the reptiles in the area don’t know that. For the second time in recent weeks, one of the critters slithered up to watch crews in action. Firefighters managed to capture some video of their scaly groupie before it moved along.

The latest close encounter with a rattlesnake occurred on Saturday, April 22 as crews from Polk County Fire Rescue were working to protect a structure during a flare-up of the Red Grange Fire that threatened homes in the Indian Lakes Estates area last week.

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The run-in serves as a reminder that fire isn’t the only danger crews face in the field, authorities say.

“While our crews are working, they must be extremely careful and watch out for other hazards,” Battalion Chief Chris Hancock pointed out.

The first encounter with a rattlesnake also occurred in the Indian Lake Estates area, the county noted in an email to media. In that case, a snake also slithered out to watch firefighters before going on its way.

While firefighters' recent encounters with rattlesnakes ended peacefully, that wasn't the case in the River Ranch area where a man was struck on the hand by a rattlesnake he believed was dead due to a gunshot to its midsection. The snake in the April 9 case was about 5 ½ feet long, fire officials say.

The man who was struck, Jerome Roddenberry, ended up needing to be airlifted for medical treatment. On Friday, Roddenberry met with some of the Polk County first responders who rescued him after the strike.

Roddenberry told firefighters the bite didn’t hurt, “but things got bad fast.” He said he took about 10 steps after the strike and then found he was unable to move. He doesn’t remember anything after that until he woke up in the hospital – not even his first helicopter ride.

Roddenberry was treated on scene by fire rescue crews and then airlifted to Osceola Regional Medical Center. He ended up requiring 32 vials of antivenin, a Monday email from fire rescue said.

“I’m lucky to be alive,” Roddenberry said. He credits Polk County crews for saving his life.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Sunshine state is home to several different kinds of rattlesnakes, including the eastern diamondback and dusky pygmy. Eastern diamondbacks are found throughout the state, but have a passion for pine flatwoods, sand pine scrub and turkey oak habitats. The venomous creatures have the ability to strike at a distance of up to 2/3 of their body length and can grow up to 6 feet in length.

To find out more about living with snakes, visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission online.

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Photos and video courtesy of Polk County Fire Rescue