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Fire Station 75 Opens
June 08, 2023
Fire Station 75 opened today on Jacksonville's westside. Located at 2630 Firestone Road, the station's resources will improve service to those need emergency care.
Meet the New Emergency Preparedness Chief
May 05, 2023
Andre Ayoub has been appointed as chief of the City of Jacksonville Emergency Preparedness Division.
Fire Station 65 Goes Live
March 28, 2023
The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD) celebrated the grand opening of Fire Station 65 today.
Located off of Atlantic Boulevard near Arlington Road, the station houses a fire engine and a rescue unit.
Fire Station 74 Opens in E-Town
July 27, 2022
Fire Station 74 helped Jacksonville maintain its designation as an ISO Class 1 department by its proximity to structures in e-Town. A Class 1 rating represents the best fire protection a department can offer, and given Duval County’s massive 900-plus square mileage, Jacksonville is the largest ISO Class 1 department in the world. This distinction also means that property owners who are now within 5-road miles of Fire Station 74 should experience cost savings in their insurance premiums.
Jacksonville Designated CLass 1 ISO Rating
April 28, 2022
Jacksonville Achieves ISO Class 1 Rating
Battalion Chief Don Blanton is JFRD’s 2021 Firefighter of the Year
February 24, 2022
Chief Donald Blanton selected as JFRD's Firefighter of the Year.
Fire Station 63 Opens
October 26, 2021
Squad 63 and Rescue 63 had been operating from a temporary location for a couple years, so the October 26 grand opening of the brick and mortar fire station was a welcome new home for the busy crew.
Jacksonville Breaks Ground on its 62nd Fire Station
September 22, 2021
JFRD Fire Station 74 is in progress.
Lt. Mike Belcher is JFRD's 2020 Firefighter of the Year
September 15, 2021
Black smoke spewing from the windows of a mobile home. A report of one still inside. And a dicey path to make entry into a zero-visibility situation. These were the conditions that Lt. Mike Belcher, JFRD's Firefighter of the Year faced.
JFRD is Ninth Busiest Department in America
July 19, 2021
With 155,501 calls for service in 2020, Jacksonville enters the national top 10 for busiest fire and rescue departments.
JFRD Launches New Search and Rescue Protocol
May 26, 2021
JFRD and JSO combine resources to enhance search and rescue efforts.
JFRD Breaks Ground on New Fire Station
September 23, 2020
JFRD and City Officials Break Ground on Fire Station 63. Facility expected to open in Fall 2021.
JFRD's Firefighter of the Year Receives State Recognition
July 15, 2020
American Legion's Florida Office Selects Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department's Engineer Vincent Harper as its Statewide Firefighter of the Year. Harper
New JFRD Fire Station Opens in Arglye/Oakleaf
March 09, 2020
Fire Station 61 in service.
Steve Riska appointed as Operations Chief
January 23, 2020
Mayor Curry Appoints Steve Riska Division Chief of Fire Operations for JFRD
Chief Keith Powers Selected as JFRD's Director/Fire Chief
November 12, 2019
Mayor Curry appoints Keith Powers Director and Chief of JFRD
In the Same Week, JFRD Opens Fire Station, Breaks Ground on Another
July 16, 2019
In late June, JFRD Opened Fire Station 73 in the Cecil Commerce Center and broke ground on the site of Station 61 in Argyle/Oakleaf
Fire Chief Kurt Wilson retires after 25 years
June 04, 2019
JFRD's Fire Chief Retires Effective May 31.
Operations Chief Keith Powers Appointed Interim Director/Fire Chief.
Operations Chief Keith Powers Appointed Interim Director/Fire Chief.
JFRD is 16th Busiest Department in the Country
August 06, 2018
Engine 19 in Arlington was busiest in 2017.
JFRD Selects Firefighters of the Year
July 03, 2018
District Chief Frank Gillis and District Chief David Squires are JFRD's Firefighters of the Year.
Japanese Delegation Visits Jacksonville's Emergency Preparedness Division
May 31, 2018
Japanese government officials, civil engineers and college professors learn about Jacksonville's response and recovery to Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and Hurricane Irma last year
Recruit Class 1-18 Graduates
February 28, 2018
JFRD hires largest class in recent history.
Beloved Retired Fire Chief Miles Bowers Passes Away
January 15, 2018
Chief Miles Bowers Died Jan. 9, 2018 at age 91
Firehouse Contributing Editor: Jacksonville is the Mecca of Hazmat
December 29, 2017
As a contributing editor to Firehouse Magazine for three decades, Robert Burke has covered hazardous materials in depth.
Chief Cullen Chalker, JFRD’s Most Senior Chief
December 20, 2017
The timing couldn’t have been better.
Cullen Chalker liked his job with Delta Airlines, but he didn’t want to relocate to Atlanta to keep his job as a hydraulics mechanic. Born in Jacksonville and happy to be home from serving in World War II, the 22-year-old soon discovered an enticing option. Jacksonville’s fire department was hiring.
Cullen Chalker liked his job with Delta Airlines, but he didn’t want to relocate to Atlanta to keep his job as a hydraulics mechanic. Born in Jacksonville and happy to be home from serving in World War II, the 22-year-old soon discovered an enticing option. Jacksonville’s fire department was hiring.
Memorial Icon Spans Two Centuries, Multiple Locations
September 10, 2017
Don’t be fooled by how shiny it is. The 3,000 pound bronze bell that is the centerpiece of the Firefighter Memorial Wall at Fire Station 1 has been around for a long time – just not always at Station 1.
They Didn't Do It For Recognition
May 05, 2017
Melissa Bartley, a registered nurse who works for Concierge Home Care, knows how to demonstrate gratitude. So does Megan Sams, who works for VITAS Healthcare.