One person was treated for smoke inhalation, and one firefighter was taken to a hospital “out of an abundance of caution,” said Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department Director and Fire Chief Percy.

He said when the propane tank ignited, it made already difficult conditions worse for firefighters, who rescued multiple pets and went back into affected units to collect lifesaving medication for some of the 11 residents who were displaced by the fire.

“When you lose a home, even for a night, those things (you) can’t go without,” Golden said.

Golden said 35 department vehicles responded to the complex, and the fire, which quickly spread from the second floor to the third floor, was out within 30 minutes.

JFRD Chief of Operations Robert Hickson said the building’s structure will have to be checked for safety before residents can go back in to retrieve anything.

WJXT-TV 4 Jacksonville

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The Ashville Fire Department, currently located on Ashville Highway, will relocate to a new home inside Aucilla Shores at the corner of 10th Street and Deerwood.

The department said the new location will put firefighters in a better position to serve residents and will provide improved facilities and resources for its firefighters. Officials also said the move is aimed at strengthening the emergency services the community depends on.

WTWC-TV FOX 49 Tallahassee

The post Jefferson County’s Ashville Volunteer Fire Department moves to new location appeared first on Daily Dispatch.

The department said its flood response operations began Sunday and continued through Tuesday as crews responded to emergencies in several parts of the county.

One of the largest operations unfolded Sunday evening in the Century Village area of unincorporated central Palm Beach County.

Beginning around 5 p.m., firefighters responded to more than seventy 911 calls from the area. Nearly 100 residents were trapped in stranded vehicles as water rose rapidly, according to PBCFR.

Firefighters reported encountering cars floating with people still inside and water reaching 3 to 4 feet deep in some locations.

To help locate people in need of rescue, PBCFR deployed drones over Century Village, Cypress Lakes the Tennis Club and surrounding areas. The drones flew around stranded vehicles and used thermal-imaging cameras to search for people.

WPTV-TV NBC 5 West Palm Beach

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Just before 10:30 a.m., the vehicle encountered rapidly rising water as torrential rain moved through the area. The driver attempted to turn, but floodwaters carried the van into a nearby canal.

As seen in the video shared on Facebook by the department Both occupants became trapped as the vehicle began to sink.

Port St. Lucie Police said Officer Peterson arrived 100 seconds after being dispatched and immediately joined the rescue effort. One occupant had a disability and needed assistance to get out of the vehicle.

WPEC-TV CBS 12 West Palm Beach

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In Tuesday’s election, 75.17% of Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District voters opposed the merger, with 2,413 voting no and 797 voting yes. The results were different in Iona-McGregor, where 57.13% of voters supported combining the two districts.

The proposal needed majority approval from voters in both districts to move forward. With Fort Myers Beach rejecting it, the merger will not take effect.

For Fort Myers Beach Fire Chief Scott Wirth, the results bring an end to a debate that has lasted three years.

“Obviously, I was pleased because I think what it told me was that the community put a lot of effort into understanding the referendum,” Wirth said.

The proposed merger would have dissolved the Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District and transferred its assets, liabilities and responsibilities to Iona-McGregor.

Wirth said one of his biggest concerns was the potential loss of two fire-based ambulances. Currently, those ambulances are staffed by firefighters who are also certified paramedics. Under the proposed merger, Wirth said those units would have been replaced by ambulances with different staffing.

“Those trucks would’ve been replaced with an ambulance that had a single certified paramedic,” Wirth said. “When we do get fires out here, being on an island, getting those extra firefighters on scene can make a huge difference.”

Wirth also raised concerns about local control of taxpayer money and the district’s savings for future projects, including fire trucks and buildings.

He acknowledged that merging the districts could have offered some operational benefits, including the ability to move emergency responders between stations, but said he believed the risks outweighed those benefits.

With the merger rejected, Wirth said the department will continue moving forward with plans to improve its facilities and services.

WINK-TV CBS 11 Fort Myers

The post Fort Myers Beach voters reject fire district merger with Iona-McGregor appeared first on Daily Dispatch.

Firefighters said when they arrived on the scene, they could smell smoke from the outside and saw a “light haze” coming from the home.

“After making entry, crews found the bathroom exhaust fan had melted and set the cellulose and joist on fire,” the post read.

Officials said they were able to put the fire out and “limit property damage.”

WKRG-TV CBS 5 Mobile

The post Pensacola house fire caused by bathroom exhaust fan issue, officials say appeared first on Daily Dispatch.

Known as Woods 48, the specialized vehicle officially began service on July 4 and is designed to respond to both brush fires and high-water rescue emergencies.

The city received a $275,000 state award in June 2023 to purchase the vehicle. In August, State Rep. David Smith presented a check to the Oviedo City Council to fund the purchase of the apparatus from Skeeter Emergency Vehicles. The department also received an additional $275,000 for equipment, bringing the total state funding to $550,000.

“We are pleased the vehicle is in service and ready for use,” Oviedo Fire Chief Michael Woodward said. “Our firefighters are confident and ready to respond to brush fire or flooding emergencies.”

City officials said the truck will play a critical role in protecting residents and natural areas throughout Oviedo, where neighborhoods border wooded and brush-filled areas that can become vulnerable to wildfire activity, particularly during lightning storms.

“This truck is valuable to our department because of the many functions it can perform,” Woodward said. “Our department can respond much faster to brush fires and flooding rescues, reducing risks to our residents and their property.”

In addition to its wildfire response capabilities, Woods 48 can be converted into a high-water rescue vehicle during the rainy season. The department said that flexibility is especially important after Oviedo experienced significant flooding during Hurricane Ian in 2022.

During flooding events, the truck can safely navigate water-covered streets and assist with evacuations when conditions become hazardous, helping firefighters reach residents who need assistance.

Fire officials said the vehicle’s dual-purpose design will improve response times and expand the department’s ability to handle two of Central Florida’s most common weather-related emergencies: wildfires and flooding.

WFTV ABC 9 Orlando

The post Oviedo Fire Department adds new wildland brush fire and rescue truck appeared first on Daily Dispatch.

The flooding also prompted school closures and changes to several polling locations ahead of Tuesday’s Election Day.

Residents in Palm Bay, Melbourne and surrounding communities have been rescued from flooded homes. Some rescues involved elderly residents, families with children and people with medical needs.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers used airboats, shallow-water boats and helicopters to reach stranded residents.

In Palm Bay, a volunteer used his airboat to transport people to their homes and reunite them with loved ones.

An elderly man recovering from open-heart surgery was rescued after a neighbor and trained rescue diver, Rick Dent, waded through chest-deep water to reach him.

Responders also rescued babies through windows and pulled a man from Crane Creek after he was found clinging to a palm tree.

WOFL-TV FOX 35 Orlando

The post Flood rescues continue in Brevard County as rising waters force evacuations appeared first on Daily Dispatch.

Rae Zabell said she dropped her son off at school when her neighbors called her about a fire at her home.

The fire started on Tuesday, Oct. 27 around 9 a.m. Cell phone video shows flames ripping through the back of the home and smoke in the air. Zabell said her cat was inside, but was rescued.

“From the front of the house, it looks like nothing’s wrong, but the back of the house is completely gone, and it’s a 1930s home. We renovated the whole thing ourselves and put so much care and intention into it,” said Rae Zabell.

WFTS-TV ABC 28 Tampa

The post Fire Rescue says lithium-ion battery caused garage fire in St. Petersburg appeared first on Daily Dispatch.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on X that the crash happened around 12:50 p.m. ET. He said the aircraft departed from Austin, Texas, and was headed to the Bahamas.

Duffy said the Federal Aviation Administration was sending a team to support the National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation. Officials at the scene said they had received a briefing from county leaders and had been in contact with the FAA.

WINK-TV CBS 11 Fort Myers

The post Jet crashes into Greenacres roadway, sparking explosion, fire, emergency response appeared first on Daily Dispatch.

Viewer Dan Williams captured video of flames consuming the top part of the restaurant on North Fletcher Avenue.

Our News4JAX crew at the scene was told that four employees were inside the restaurant when they smelled smoke. All four were able to get out safely. No injuries were reported.

As of 8:45 a.m., the fire had been put out, but fire investigators are working to determine the cause.

It’s unclear if the restaurant will need to be closed or for how long.

WJXT-TV 4 Jacksonville

The post Firefighters battle blaze at Fernandina Beach restaurant appeared first on Daily Dispatch.

McCord is carrying on a family legacy of firefighting. Before his promotion, he worked as a firefighter/engineer and has been described as an integral part of the department every step of the way.

With his new rank, McCord becomes an active part of the leadership of the department and the community. Department leaders say they are eager to see what this next chapter brings and expressed pride and gratitude for his work.

WWSB-TV ABC 7 Sarasota

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