Fire Operations (Suppression)
This division is JFRD’s largest, with approximately 900 uniformed personnel assigned to its numerous and labor-intensive functions. Operations is responsible for responding to structure fires, wild land fires, motor vehicle accidents, hazardous materials incidents, severe weather, as well as all medical calls. Because effective emergency response is a product of timing and staffing, the outcome of an incident often depends on how rapidly first responders arrive and if there are enough personnel on scene to quickly gain control of the situation.
In doing their jobs, the 900 firefighters in Operations use approximately 110 suppression apparatus – fire engines, ladder trucks, and brush trucks – located at 54 fire stations across the county. Operations also staffs a marine section with a variety of multi-engine fireboats that are stationed at the Trout River and Metropolitan Park. JFRD’s fireboats are an integral part of port security and emergency response along the St. Johns River.
2011 Budget:
The Fire Operations (Suppression) Division’s budget is $112,474,897.
2010 Budget:
The Fire Operations (Suppression) Division’s budget was $113,052,478.
Did You Know?
The function of a ladder truck is much more diverse than suppressing fires at high-rise buildings. A ladder company’s crew engages in search and rescue efforts for victims/occupants of structure fires, including forcible entry into the structure if needed. And at serious motor vehicle accidents, the ladder’s special equipment, such as the “jaws of life,” is often critical to patient extrication from the vehicle.