# Tallahassee Fire Department

The Tallahassee Fire Department (TFD) provides fire protection and emergency response for Tallahassee, Florida, as well as all unincorporated areas of Leon County. The fire department has been active for nearly a century and has the largest non-hospital-based medical response force between Pensacola and Jacksonville. TFD is the designated responder for North Florida Task Force 7, Urban Search and Rescue Team in Florida.

## History

The Tallahassee Fire Department has been serving the community for over 100 years. Firefighting was once a community effort with "bucket brigades" and wagons pulled by horses. The "Great Fire of 1843" destroyed over 90 downtown businesses. The fire began in the Hotel Washington and spread north in 180 minutes, to Park Avenue where it stopped, destroying most buildings on Monroe Street. Following the fire, the city council passed an ordinance requiring downtown buildings to be constructed with fire resistant material. Local newspapers warned citizens about defective chimneys and flues which could spark on roofs. Ladders were recommended to be readily available so neighbors could out fires with a water bucket.
The first volunteer fire organization was established in 1868, but none lasted more than a few years until the Tallahassee Volunteer Fire Company formed in the Fall of 1902. They changed their name to Tallahassee Fire Department in 1930 with six firefighters paid and six remaining volunteers. However, they were only paid for drills and actually fighting fires. An American LaFrance fire engine was acquired in 1915 that was the first motorized fire vehicle and cost $8,000.

## Current status

TFD has 16 fire stations to serve and protect 702 square miles in Tallahassee/Leon County with a population of almost 300,000. The department has 313 certified firefighters, primarily in the Suppression Division, who respond to 36,000+ incidents every year. Certified individuals serve as command staff and there are 17 general employees who perform administrative services or support.
Firefighting is changing. One third of emergency calls are for medical services. To respond to over 18,000 EMS calls each year, TFD has the largest non-hospital-based medical response force between Pensacola and Jacksonville. For community medical emergencies TFD will be first to respond.
Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) within TFD receive training in Basic Life Support (BLS) for response to stroke and cardiac care, trauma care, CPR, childbirth, advanced first aid and administering medication. A BLS provider can stabilize the patient until patient transport to a hospital or Advanced Life Support (ALS) care begins.
Paramedics in TFD are ALS certified to manage the medical situation according to protocol and direct operations within the ambulance enroute to the hospital.
Each year, TFD typically responds to 400 structure fires, (residential & commercial), 200 vehicle fires, 900 brush/rubbish fires and 1100 vehicle rescues.
TFD members are trained handle difficult situations including investigating arson, vehicle extrication, structure collapse, hazardous materials, high-angle rescue and search and rescue.
TFD people review construction plans for commercial projects and conduct inspections for fire safety to ensure that construction matches the plans. TFD works with other agencies in responding to and planning for natural and man-made disasters.

## Extended response

TPD also responds to emergencies in surrounding areas with mutual aid agreements.
Tallahassee Fire Department is the designated responder for North Florida Task Force 7, Urban Search and Rescue Team. They travelled to the June 2021 Surfside condominium collapse, working for two weeks.

## Citizens

People who sincerely want to improve their safety awareness, learn what firefighters do daily, and understand all the services the department provides, TFD offers a Citizen's Fire Academy twice a year for adult residents or those who work in Tallahassee/Leon County. The program lasts 7-weeks and the weekly sessions run 3 hours.

## Volunteers

Six volunteer fire departments (VFDs) provide fire and medical first response services within the unincorporated areas of Leon County under Agreements with the County. The VFDs supplement the response of Leon County EMS and the Tallahassee Fire Department. The VFDs are independent organizations that provide fire apparatus/vehicles (not owned by the County), equipment, and personnel to respond to incidents. The VFDs are: Chaires–Capitola Volunteer Fire Department, Bradfordville Volunteer Fire & Rescue, Lake Jackson Volunteer Fire Department, Lake Talquin Volunteer Fire Department, Miccosukee Volunteer Fire & Rescue and Woodville Volunteer Fire Department.

## Ambulance

The Tallahassee Fire Department has never provided patient transport to the hospital. Funeral homes had been providing ambulance service to the citizens of Leon County for decades. Service was inconsistent and many patients died for lack of prompt medical treatment. Tallahassee Memorial Hospital (TMH) established Tallahassee's first EMS ambulance service in 1972 which continued through 2003.
The Florida Legislature passed and enacted the "Raymond H. Alexander, M.D., Emergency Medical Transportation Services Act" in 1973. The legislation required uniform and systematic emergency medical services to reduce disabilities and save lives.
On December 31, 2003 the Leon County Emergency Medical Services was established. They provide Advanced Life Support and clinically superior, cost-effective emergency medical services and transport to the citizens and visitors of Leon County.

## Divisions

The Tallahassee Fire Department has three divisions, all of which play an integral role in providing 24/7 emergency response for the City of Tallahassee and Leon County. Each one oversees specific tasks but come together to form TFD.
* Supression is the largest division, working 24/7 responding to emergencies.
** Training teaches new recruits to be fire professionals, provides continuing education to existing personnel, manages safety and fitness for the department and researches and evaluates all JFRD divisions.
** Special operations includes Technical rescue, Hazmat, Marine, Urban search and rescue, Airport Operations
* Emergency Management confronts disasters and potential city/county-wide emergencies that include hurricanes, flooding, tornadoes and terrorism by planning and preparing.
* Planning & Logistics support services for: uniforms & PPE; stock all 21 facilities; fire apparatus & support vehicles; technology needs; Special Operations
** Fire Prevention conducts commercial property safety inspections, dispenses fire permits, teach fire safety and examine building plans.

## Training

The TFD had a training facility at 2964 Municipal Way in the closed Dale Mabry Army Airfield, The Florida Department of Environmental Protection performed a site reconnaissance and site assessment in June 2019. Lab results indicated high levels of PFOA and PFOS. In March 2020 the Florida Department of Health sampled nine potable wells around the training area and one was found to exceed Health Advisory Levels. Bottled water was offered to the affected private well owner until a safe water supply is restored. The solution could be well restoration, a filter or connecting the resident to a public water system.

## Fire Cadet

Local teenagers from 14-18 interested in firefighting as a career can join the Fire Cadet program. Classes meet one Sunday each month from 1-5pm and instruction is provided by TFD paramedics, EMTs and firefighters. Skills include CPR, Hose line use, search & rescue, ladder use, car extrication, forcible entry, rappelling (ropes/knots) and emergency medical services. Cadets also have the opportunity to ride along with TFD members responding to emergency calls and participate in various community service events. Cadets can also participate in community service events and ride along with TFD while responding to calls.

## Future

Fire Station 17 is projected to open in FY2025, and Fire Station 15 will be expanded. 12 new firefighters will be hired, with an additional 12 in subsequent years.

## Photo gallery

* Women in the Tallahassee Fire Department
* Chief Pinkney Coe on fire hose wagon.
* Fire truck #1 outside Adams Street station (1916).