[citation needed] The first call to the Jacksonville Fire Department was made at 7:45 a.m., by hotel doorman Alton Joseph Crowden.

[1] For some that saw that fire department ladders would not reach them, guests threw mattresses to the ground in an attempt to soften the landing.

"[6] Mayor W. Haydon Burns immediately called for assistance from the U.S. Navy, and eight helicopters were flown to downtown from Cecil Field and NAS Jacksonville.

[8] A woman died after attempting to climb to safety from her 11th floor room, but slipped while on the makeshift bedsheets rope she had made.

[6] In addition, assistant chief J.R. Romedy collapsed of a heart attack during the initial rescue efforts, and died at the scene.