Operations

Fire Protection Services

The BoCC is responsible for fire protection services to the unincorporated area and by contracts to the Cities of Alachua, Archer, Hawthorne and Waldo. All of the cities referenced joined the County Fire MSTU, except the City of Alachua.

We staff nine (9) fire stations 24/7. All of the Department’s fire units are staffed at the advance life support (ALS) level. Fire suppression is provided via direct service provider or contract with participants of the Fire Services Network. The BoCC contracts with the cities of High Springs, Micanopy, Newberry and the Town of LaCrosse for services outside their municipal limits, as well as the Community Volunteer Fire Departments of Cross Creek, Melrose, and Windsor.

The City of Gainesville and the urban/suburban area around the City of Gainesville are protected by your Fire Rescue Department and Gainesville Fire Department via the FSAA (Fire Services Assistance Agreement). The FSAA is a fully reciprocal agreement that ensures the closest units are dispatched to emergency incidents regardless of political jurisdiction. Emergency operations between the two agencies are seamless.

Total responses for service from County fire units exceeded 13,000 in FY09/10.