Palm Beach County Fire Rescue

Palm Beach County Fire Rescue is one of the largest fire departments in the state of Florida. Palm Beach County Fire Rescue provides fire protection, emergency medical services, ALS transport, technical rescue, hazardous materials mitigation, Aircraft rescue and firefighting, Fire investigation, and 911 Dispatching for unincorporated parts of Palm Beach County, Florida and 19 cities under contract.[3]

Palm Beach County Fire Rescue
When seconds count, count on us to be there in a few minutes![1]
Operational area
Country United States
State Florida
County Palm Beach
Agency overview[2]
EstablishedOctober 1st 1984
Annual calls133,580 (2019)
Employees1,630
Annual budget$487 million (2020)
StaffingCareer
Fire chiefReginald Duren
EMS levelALS
IAFF2928
Facilities and equipment[2]
Battalions8
Stations49
Engines43
Trucks33
Rescues53
Tenders4
HAZMAT2 (Special Ops)
USAR2 (Special Ops)
Airport crash5
Wildland19
Helicopters2
Light and air1
Website
Official website
IAFF website

History

Palm Beach County Fire Rescue was created on October 1, 1984, when the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners passed a resolution consolidating the existing fire districts in Palm Beach County. Prior to 1984 the following fire districts were in existence, covering mostly unincorporated Palm Beach County:[4]

  • Jupiter-Tequesta
  • Juno Beach
  • Old Dixie
  • Military Park
  • Southwest
  • Trail Park
  • Reservation
  • Del Trail
  • Canal Point
  • Palm Beach International Airport

Chief Herman W. Brice Regional Training Center

Named after the department's first Fire Chief, the Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Administration and Training complex is a 40-acre complex that houses Fire-Rescue's Administrative offices, training areas, and an apparatus and support building. Chief Brice retired in 2009 after 56 years in the fire service, coming to Palm Beach from the Miami Fire Department. The complex includes multiple classrooms & conference rooms, a 6 story training tower, a 2 1/2 story Class A burn building, an emergency vehicle driving course, an extrication training area, Urban Search & Rescue (USAR) props, a 10-acre lake for drafting training, and a field of various full-scale liquefied petroleum (LP) gas props.[5]

Structure

The department is made up of 8 battalions which contain anywhere from 3 to 9 fire stations:

  • Battalion 1: 7 stations: serving the north county area (Jupiter, Lake Park, Jupiter Farms).
  • Battalion 2: 9 stations: serving the western county area (Royal Palm Beach, Wellington, Loxahatchee).
  • Battalion 3: 7 stations: serving Lake Worth, Lantana, Manalapan, South Palm Beach, Lake Clarke Shores.
  • Battalion 4: 8 stations: serving suburban Boynton Beach, Suburban Delray Beach.
  • Battalion 5: 7 stations: serving suburban Boca Raton (Boca West, Loggers Run, Mission Bay).
  • Battalion 7: 3 stations: serving the Glades area (Pahokee, Canal Point, Belle Glade, South Bay).
  • Battalion 9 (Special Operations): 4 stations: Station 19 (North), Station 34 (South), Palm Beach International Airport, and Trauma Hawk.[6]
  • Battalion 10: 6 stations: serving unincorporated West Palm Beach, Lake Worth, Palm Springs, Haverhill, Cloud Lake.

Each Battalion is managed by a District Chief, who oversees all 3 shifts in his/her respective Battalion. At the shift level, each Battalion is supervised by a Battalion Chief and an EMS Captain.[7]

Operations
Engine 28

Overview

The department is responsible for 1,813 square miles (4,700 km2), providing services to almost 900,000 residents throughout the county.[8] Along with the unincorporated areas of the county, PBCFR provides services for Belle Glade, Cloud Lake, Glen Ridge, Haverhill, Juno Beach, Jupiter, Lake Clarke Shores, Lake Park, Lake Worth, Lantana, Manalapan, Pahokee, Palm Springs, Royal Palm Beach, South Bay, South Palm Beach and Wellington.[9]

All line personnel are either dual-certified Firefighter/EMT’s or Firefighter/Paramedics. All Engine Companies, Truck Companies, Ladder Companies, and Rescue Companies are Advanced Life Support (ALS) units, which means that they are staffed daily with Paramedics. The department’s daily minimum staffing is 295 Firefighters.[8]

Apparatus Types:[10]

  • Engine Companies: Pumpers units that carry 750-1,000 gallons of water and various firefighting equipment
  • Ladder Companies: Conventional (Straight-Stick) Quints units that carry approximately 500 gallons of water and various firefighting equipment
  • Truck Companies: Platform (Tower-Ladder) Quints units that carry approximately 500 gallons of water and various firefighting equipment
  • Rescue Companies: Medical Transport units that carry medical supplies
  • Tenders: Pumper Tankers units that carry 3,000 gallons of water and basic firefighting gear
  • Special Operations units: Heavy Rescues trucks that carry Dive Rescue, Technical Rescue, and HazMat response equipment
  • Brush trucks: Wildland Pumpers units that carry up to 750 gallons of water and basic firefighting gear
  • Dragon: ARFF Pumpers units that carry foam and 3,000 gallons of water and basic firefighting gear

Medical Services

Palm Beach County Fire Rescue remains at the forefront of providing exceptional EMS care by using the latest equipment, techniques, and interventions to achieve the best possible outcomes for those served. Palm Beach County Fire Rescue is frequently recognized both nationally and internationally for its medical and trauma emergency services, and is continuously developing programs and protocols to provide the most advanced EMS care available. Palm Beach County Fire Rescue is among the top in the nation at cardiac arrest resuscitation, having a rate of resuscitation (33%) almost double the Florida state average, and has achieved the American Heart Association Mission Lifeline Gold Plus award.[11]

Special Operations

The department has two Special Operations apparatus, located at stations 19 and 34. These multipurpose units function as Heavy Rescues, HazMats, and Mobile Command Centers on extended operations. Members of Special Operations are responsible for Hazardous Materials (HazMat) incidents, Dive Rescue, Confined Space Rescue, and High Angle Rescue,[12] and they assist the Sheriff's Office's Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team.[13] Many members are also trained in Trench Rescue, Structural Collapse Rescue, and Vehicle Machinery Rescue (VMR). Each Special Operations station houses an Engine, a Rescue, and a Heavy Rescue. Station 34, which is the headquarters for Battalion 9, also houses the Special Operations Battalion Chief, the Special Operations EMS Captain, and the Heavy Rescue Equipment vehicle.[14]

Aerial Operations

All Ladder and Truck companies are Quints that incorporate ladder capabilities along with pumper functions. These aerials carry Rope Rescue equipment, a large complement of saws, vehicle stabilization equipment, air lift bags, and assorted pneumatic and electrical tools that are not carried by Engine companies. All personnel assigned full-time to aerial stations are certified at a minimum in Rope Rescue operations and Aerial operations. Personnel assigned full-time to station 57 (Boca Raton) and station 73 (Belle Glade) are also certified Rescue Divers. Aside from Special Operations , these are the only 2 stations in the department with regional Dive Rescue teams.[15]

Airport Operations

The PBCFR is responsible for providing aircraft rescue and firefighting for the Palm Beach International Airport, one the 50 busiest airports in the United States. The station which is located near the center of the airport grounds, is home to 13 pieces of specialized fire fighting equipment.[16]

These apparatus include:

Trauma Hawk

The Palm Beach County Fire Rescue partners with the Palm Beach County Health Care District to operate the Trauma Hawk Aero-Medical Program.[21] The Trauma Hawk program, established in November 1990, replaced the use of Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office helicopters to medevac critically injured patients to area hospitals.[21] At the Trauma Hawk Station, located at the south west corner of Palm Beach International Airport, the department has two Sikorsky S-76C helos.[22] The air ambulances are identically equipped and can carry two patients each and up to four medical attendants if needed.[22] Each helicopter is staffed with a pilot, a registered nurse (RN) and a paramedic. The nurses and paramedics are Palm Beach County Fire Rescue employees while the pilots are Health Care District employees.[21]

Support Services

Training & Safety Division

The Training & Safety Division is responsible for the training and education new Recruit Firefighters, existing Firefighters, and support personnel. Areas of training include:[23]

  • Recruit Academy: All newly-hired firefighters attend a recruit academy, consisting of fire and EMS training, before working in the field.
  • Company Officer Training: Officer Development Academies (ODAs) provide new Lieutenants, Captains, and Chief Officers with essential job knowledge and skills to effectively operate in their new supervisory positions.
  • Driver Operator Training: Driver Candidate School (DCS) provides the basic fundamental knowledge and skills to operate pumping apparatus. Additional training classes to operate specialized apparatus are also offered.
  • EMS Training: Annual EMT & Paramedic training covers basic and advanced medical skills (i.e. Airway Management, EKG Interpretation, Medication Administration) and Regional Protocol reviews.
  • Fire Training: Annual firefighter training includes Live-Burn, Search, Safety & Survival, Fire Suppression, Forcible Entry, and Ventilation training.
  • Specialty Training: Specialty units receive continuing training in Hazardous Materials (HazMat), Dive Rescue, and Technical Rescue / USAR.

Dispatch

In the 1980’s, Palm Beach County became the second in the nation to implement enhanced 911 phone system, which provided critical information regarding the location of the emergency. The dispatch center, known as the Alarm Office, processes all incoming calls and operates multiple radio channels. With a staff of over 40 communications personnel, trainers, and dispatch supervisors, a Fire Operations Officer (FOO) is assigned to the Alarm Office at all times. The purpose of the FOO is to provide technical assistance to dispatch during multi-company operations and department staffing.[24]

The department also provides dispatch services for 13 municipalities: Atlantis, Delray Beach, Greenacres, Gulf Stream, Highland Beach, Jupiter Inlet Colony, Mangonia Park, North Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Palm Beach Shores, Riviera Beach, Tequesta and West Palm Beach.[8]

Investigations Unit

Working under the Office of the Fire Marshal, the fire/arson investigators are responsible for investigating the cause & origin of fire/explosion scenes, preserving scenes, and collecting evidence. The Investigations Unit responds to all areas that are serviced by the Palm Beach County Fire Rescue, in addition to, those areas serviced by the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office. The investigators are sworn law enforcement officers, which gives them the ability to make arrests, carry firearms, and present cases State Attorney's office for prosecution of any bomb/fire/arson crimes. Investigators are also members of the Palm Beach County Bomb/Arson Task Force and are all professionally qualified to provide expert witness testimony in both criminal and civil cases.[25]


Stations and apparatus
Fire Station Number[10] City Engine Company Aerial or Ladder or Platform or Tender Company EMS Rescue Unit Other units Battalion
14 Jupiter Farms Engine 14 Tender 14 Rescue 14 Brush 14 1
15 Juno Ladder 15 Rescue 15 Brush 15 1
16 Jupiter Engine 16 Rescue 16 Brush 16 1
17 West Palm Beach Engine 17 Rescue 17 Brush 17 1
18 Jupiter Engine 18 Rescue 18 1
19 Jupiter Engine 19 Rescue 19 Battalion Chief 19

Brush 19 EMS 19 District Chief 19

DCPT 19

Special Operations 19

 1
20 Wellington Engine 20 Rescue 20 Brush 20 2
21 West Palm Beach Engine 21 Tender 21 Rescue 21 Brush 21 2
22 Loxahatchee Groves/Westlake Engine 22 Rescue 22 Brush 22 2
23 West Palm Beach Engine 23 Rescue 23

Rescue 223

 Battalion Chief 23

District Chief 23 EMS 23 DCPT 23

 10
24 West Palm Beach Engine 24 Rescue 24 10
25 Wellington Engine 25 Rescue 25 Brush 625 2
26 West Palm Beach Engine 26 Rescue 26 Brush 26 2
27 Wellington Engine 27 Rescue 27 Brush 27 2
28 Royal Palm Beach Engine 28 Rescue 28 Brush 28

District Chief 28 Battalion 28 DCPT 28 EMS 28

 2
29 Royal Palm Beach Truck 29 Rescue 29 2
30 Wellington Engine 30 Rescue 30 2
31 Lake Worth Engine 31 Rescue 31 3
32 Lake Worth Engine 32 Rescue 32 Brush 32 10
33 West Palm Beach Engine 33 Rescue 33 10
34 West Palm Beach Engine 34 Rescue 34 District Chief 34

Heavy Rescue 34 Battalion 34 EMS 34 Special Operations 34

 9
35 Lantana Engine 35 Rescue 35 3
36 West Palm Beach Engine 36 Rescue 36 10
37 Lantana Engine 37 Rescue 37 3
38 Manalapan Engine 38 3
39 Palm Spring Engine 39 Rescue 39 10
41 Boynton Beach Engine 41 Rescue 41

Rescue 241

 4
42 Delray Beach Engine 42 Rescue 42 Battalion Chief 42

Brush 42 EMS 42 Command Unit 42 District Chief 42

DCPT 42

 4
43 Lake Worth Engine 43 Rescue 43 Brush 43 3
44 Boynton Beach Engine 44 Rescue 44

Rescue 244

 4
45 Delray Beach Engine 45 Rescue 45

Rescue 245

 4
46 Boynton Beach Engine 46 Rescue 46 4
47 Boynton Beach Engine 47 Ladder 47 Rescue 47 4
48 Lake Worth Engine 48 Tender 48 Rescue 48 Brush 48

EMS 48

 4
51 Boca Raton Engine 51 Rescue 51 5
52 Boca Raton Engine 52 Rescue 52 4
53 Boca Raton Engine 53 Rescue 53 5
54 Boca Raton Engine 54 Rescue 54 Brush 54 5
55 Boca Raton Engine 55 Rescue 55 5
56 Boca Raton Engine 56 Rescue 56

Rescue 256

 5
57 Boca Raton Truck 57 Rescue 57 Brush 57

DCPT 57 Battalion 57 EMS 57

 5
58 Boca Raton Engine 58 Rescue 58 5
68 Lake Park Engine 68 Rescue 68 Brush 68 1
72 Pahokee Engine 72 Tender 72 Rescue 72 Brush 72 7
73 Belle Glade Engine 73 Ladder 73 Rescue 73

Rescue 273

 Battalion Chief 73

District Chief 73 EMS 73 DCPT 73

 7
74 South Bay Engine 74 Rescue 74 Brush 74 7
81 Palm Beach International Airport Airport LT 81 RP 81 Airport Chief 81

Air Stairs 81

Dragon 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5

Escort 81

Support 81

 9
91 Lake Worth Engine 91 EMS 91

Rescue 91

 Battalion Chief 91

District Chief 91

 3
93 Lake Worth Engine 93 Rescue 93 3
Trauma Hawk Palm Beach International Airport Trauma Hawk 9


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gollark: ```haskellprimes = filterPrime [2..] where filterPrime (p:xs) = p : filterPrime [x | x <- xs, x `mod` p /= 0]````primes` here has been defined as the infinite list of all prime numbers.
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References
  1. "Palm Beach County Fire Rescue". Palm Beach County Fire Rescue. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  2. "FY2018 Fact Sheet" (PDF). Palm Beach County Fire Rescue. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  3. "About Us". Palm Beach County Fire Rescue. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  4. "Fire Rescue Mission Statement". discover.pbcgov.org.
  5. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2019-01-29. Retrieved 2019-01-28.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. "Station - Station". discover.pbcgov.org.
  7. "Organization chart" (PDF). discover.pbcgov.org. Retrieved 2019-06-18.
  8. "Fact sheet" (PDF). discover.pbcgov.org. Retrieved 2019-06-18.
  9. "Area's Served". Palm Beach County Fire Rescue. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  10. http://discover.pbcgov.org/pbcfr/Pages/Stations-Apparatus.aspx
  11. http://discover.pbcgov.org/pbcfr/PDF/FiscalYear2018AnnualReport.pdf
  12. "Apparatus List". Palm Beach County Fire Rescue. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  13. "Special Operations". Palm Beach County Fire Rescue. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  14. http://discover.pbcgov.org/pbcfr/Stations-Apparatus/Battalion-9.aspx
  15. http://www.pbcgov.com/pubinf/agenda/20161129/11am.revised.pdf
  16. "Station 81". Palm Beach County Fire Rescue. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  17. "Air Stair 1". Palm Beach County Fire Rescue. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  18. "Dragon 1". Palm Beach County Fire Rescue. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  19. "Foam 81". Palm Beach County Fire Rescue. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  20. "Support 81". Palm Beach County Fire Rescue. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  21. "Trauma Hawk". Palm Beach County Fire Rescue. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  22. "Station Trauma Hawk". Palm Beach County Fire Rescue. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  23. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2019-01-29. Retrieved 2019-01-28.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  24. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2019-01-29. Retrieved 2019-01-28.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  25. "Fire Rescue - Bureau of Safety Services Investigations". discover.pbcgov.org.

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