First responder rescues American flag from Irma on 9/11

Joseph Schiavo, 42, is a Coral Springs firefighter and SWAT medic
He was with his medical team leading rescue efforts for Hurricane Irma when they came across an American flag on the ground
Video shows him going to rescue the flag, shake it out and proudly hold it up
This happened Monday, on the 16th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks

By Kayla Brantley For Dailymail.com

Published: 21:05 BST, 13 September 2017 | Updated: 21:45 BST, 13 September 2017

As thousands of Floridians are still recovering from the wreckage of Hurricane Irma, one first responder made a pit stop for patriotism on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

Joseph Schiavo, 42, is a Coral Springs firefighter and medic who was with his SWAT medical team leading rescue efforts on Monday when they came across an American flag on the ground.

‘We saw the red, white, and blue all curled up laying on the ground, and just thought, “we can’t leave it there”,’Schiavo said.

That’s when he got out of the BearCat armored vehicle, fully dressed in military attire, to rescue the flag from the rain and heavy winds.

Joseph Schiavo, 42, rescued an American flag while on a rescue mission to aide Hurricane Irma victims in Florida

He and his team saw the American flag on the ground on Monday, the 16th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks

Joseph Schiavo, 42, rescued an American flag while on a rescue mission to aide Hurricane Irma victims in Florida. He and his team saw the American flag on the ground on Monday, the 16th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks

He's seen holding the red, white and blue up, a moment that he described as 'filled with pride'

He’s seen holding the red, white and blue up, a moment that he described as ‘filled with pride’

The patriot is seen picking the flag up, shaking it off and holding it high above his head, a moment he described as filled with pride.

Schiavo added that ‘it was an honorable thing to do’ and ‘it would be a disgrace to let it lay on the ground’.

The team of medics, firefighters and police officers will fly the flag in their SWAT vehicle as they continue their rescue efforts throughout Southern Florida.

Hurricane’s Irma’s death toll has risen to 65 and thousands are still without power after the category 5 storm ripped through Florida over the weekend.

Joseph Schiavo is a Coral Springs firefighter and medic who was with his SWAT medical team leading rescue efforts when they they stumbled upon the damp flag

Joseph Schiavo is a Coral Springs firefighter and medic who was with his SWAT medical team leading rescue efforts when they they stumbled upon the damp flag

Joseph Schiavo (far right) is pictured with his team of firefighters, medics and police officers who now hang the flag in their armored SWAT vehicle

Joseph Schiavo (far right) is pictured with his team of firefighters, medics and police officers who now hang the flag in their armored SWAT vehicle