News

Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department's Marine Division joined partner agencies last week for a Boat Operator Search and Rescue (BOSAR) course hosted at U.S. Coast Guard Station Mayport.

The City of Jacksonville and Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department are issuing a burn ban effective immediately due to dangerous wildfire conditions across the region. The ban prohibits all open burning within the Duval County limits until further notice. Director/Fire Chief Percy Golden II is invoking his authority under Jacksonville Municipal Code Section 420.202(e) to prohibit all bonfires and open burning in Duval County effective immediately. Current weather conditions present an elevated risk to life and property.

This week, Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department firefighters trained alongside emergency responders from across the region in a three-day course focused on responding to chlorine emergencies, including incidents involving rail cars and industrial facilities.

Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department’s Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Canine Team recently demonstrated its commitment to excellence on Friday, April 3, with five dogs completing Canine Search Team Certification Evaluation (CE) testing, and one new member earning a place on the team.

On Saturday, March 21, 2026, Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department personnel joined the American Red Cross of North and Central Florida for a community walk in the Ionia Street area. Teams went door to door installing free battery-powered smoke alarms and providing fire safety education directly to residents.

Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department crews responded to a residential structure fire Saturday, March 14, 2026, near Pulaski Road, on the city’s Northside.

The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department celebrated a major milestone today with the groundbreaking of our new Health and Wellness Center, marking a significant expansion of the department’s ongoing commitment to protecting the long-term health of our over 1,900 personnel.

Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department broke ground today on Fire Station 66 in East Arlington, marking the first new fire station in the area since Station 29 was built in 1992.

Chief Golden joined Mayor Deegan, Emergency Preparedness, the National Weather Service, and the Florida Forest Service on Friday to address the extreme drought and elevated wildfire risk facing Duval County.

This evening, fifty-one new recruits graduated from the JFRD Training Academy and received their first assignment as Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department firefighters. Recruit Class 325, which began on November 3, 2025, celebrated its graduation at the Church of Eleven22 on Beach Boulevard.

What could have ended in tragedy became a story of hope, teamwork, and the critical importance of CPR training when Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD) crews helped save the life of 2-year-old Hoke following a drowning incident on February 3rd.

As an extended period of very cold temperatures impacts northeast Florida through early next week, with nightly freezes forecast and dangerously cold wind chills, the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD) has implemented measures to protect apparatus and equipment from freezing temperatures, including:

Scott Miller Jr. will lead the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department’s Administrative Services Division as Acting Division Chief, pending City Council confirmation.

A significant piece of Jacksonville fire history returned home after more than 130 years.

As families gather to celebrate the holiday season, the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department is urging residents to keep fire safety in mind while decking the halls and preparing festive meals.