News

As Memorial Day weekend approaches, the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department is urging residents and visitors to make safety a priority as they gather, get on the water, and fire up the grill. The holiday weekend falls within National Water Safety Month, making water awareness a top focus for JFRD and the Emergency Preparedness Division.

The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department is joining agencies across the country this week in recognizing National EMS Week, an annual observance that honors the men and women who deliver emergency medical care to communities every day.

This week, more than 20 Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department Special Operations and Hazardous Materials team members completed a three-day Animal Technical Rescue course May 4-6 at the JFRD Training Academy. This is only the second time the department has offered this specialized training since 2022 and reflects a growing recognition that animal emergencies require the same level of preparedness as any other technical rescue.

Five weeks ago, a group of kindergarteners from San Pablo Elementary were headed to the Jacksonville Zoo for a field trip when their school bus was rear-ended by another vehicle, resulting in multiple injuries among students, including four that required medical transport to local hospitals. This turn of events required canceling their field trip.

The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department will illuminate its main headquarters, the JFRD Fallen Firefighter Memorial, Station 1, Station 19, and Station 60 in red from April 26 through May 3 as part of a national tribute to firefighters who have died in the line of duty.

Due to dangerous wildfire conditions across the region, the City of Jacksonville and Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD) have issued a burn ban effective immediately and are working in partnership with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office to protect people and property. The ban prohibits all open burning within 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.

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.