For about three years, two Pasco Fire Rescue companies worked out of Station No. 24 in Dade City, running calls from city limits to Darby, Trilby and Blanton, a huge area by anyone's calculations. ...more

January 18, 2008

There are few county services more instrumental in saving lives than its EMS force ––and just like a fire department –– every second counts. Understanding how crucial it is to dispatch an ambulance as quickly as possible, and considering how our population balloons in the winter, our EMS officials have made some needed changes to make sure that everyone gets served on time. ...more

December 31, 2007

SEBRING — In 2008, one of Highlands County's 13 volunteer fire departments will become the first to merge with the county's Emergency Medical Service. Steve Plunkett Coltharp, the acting EMS director, thinks picking the Lake Placid Volunteer Department is both the cheapest and best way to go. "This is a first step," said Coltharp, a 22-year EMS veteran. Whether Lake Placid or one of the 12 other volunteer fire departments is chosen, one fire department will be the first with full-time, certified paramedics serving on its fire trucks at all times. ...more

December 28, 2007

Dunedin studio fire shocks its members ...more

December 11, 2007

LAKE PLACID — Downtown streets will be lined with people Saturday, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. during Lake Placid's annual Christmas parade. This year's theme is "A Child's Christmas Fantasy." The parade will feature floats, bands, cloggers, clowns, civic and social organizations, cheerleaders, fire trucks, beauty queens and Santa Claus. The event is a joint effort between the Greater Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce and the town of Lake Placid. Eileen May, chamber CEO/president of operations, said on Wednesday that almost 100 floats had registered for what she expects will be the town's "best parade, ever." she expected good weather for the evening event. ...more

December 7, 2007

Residents began making their way through back streets and dirt roads Sunday afternoon into evacuated areas of this upscale community to see whether their homes survived a wind-driven wildfire that scorched surrounding brush-covered hills. ...more

November 26, 2007

SEBRING — It's not uncommon for firefighters to bust through doors and walls, crawl through smoke-filled rooms and tear through roofs to save lives. With this in mind, the Sun 'n Lake of Sebring Fire Department would rather err on the side of caution. Recently, in an attempt to train department staff, sessions have been held in the abandoned Candlelight restaurant, located at 5223 Sun 'n Lake Blvd. If you drive by and see smoke coming out of the building and fire trucks outside, don't fear for the worst. "Our firefighters have taken full advantage of the empty shell and have been conducting training exercises," said Sam Henderson, Sun 'n Lake's director of public safety. "The training emphasizes search, rescue, ventilation and firefighter survival drills." ...more

November 23, 2007

LAND O' LAKES - A fire swept through a two-story house in Caliente Resort on Friday afternoon, causing extensive damage to the structure and to a motor home in the garage. ...more

November 17, 2007

LAND O' LAKES - A fire swept through a two-story house in Caliente Resort on Friday11/16 afternoon, causing extensive damage to the structure and to a motor home in the garage. ...more

November 16, 2007

Motorists in South Tampa around the 4200 block of South Dale Mabry Highway should travel on side streets for the next hour or so because of a broken natural gas line, Tampa Fire Rescue said. ...more

November 2, 2007