8/15/19 @ 4:00 p.m. - Nassau County Fire Rescue applied for and has been awarded the Hoods to Heroes Grant valued at $15,625. This grant will provide protective hoods to our first responders to protect against cancer causing carcinogens. The foundation will present the hoods at a special ceremony being held on Friday, August 23, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at Fire Rescue Headquarters located at 96160 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL. The public is invited to attend.

If you have any questions, please contact Fire/Rescue at (904) 530-6600.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

7/17/19 @ 9:40 a.m. - The Board of County Commissioners had a very special visitor at their Board Meeting today! Smokey Bear dropped by in celebration of his 75th Birthday which also marks the 75th anniversary of his wildfire prevention campaign, the longest running public service campaign in US history.

They presented Smokey and members of the Florida Forest Service with the following proclamation:

WHEREAS, on August 9, 2019, Smokey Bear will celebrate his 75th birthday, which also marks his wildfire prevention campaign as the longest running public service campaign in U.S. History; and

WHEREAS, Smokey’s message is as relevant today as it was in 1944 as more people are living closer to natural resources – so, no retirement for Smokey!; and

WHEREAS, the mission of the Florida Forest Service is to protect Florida and its people from the dangers of wildfire and manage the forest resources through a stewardship ethic to assure they are available for future generations; and

WHEREAS, in the last five years, Florida Forest Service Wildland Firefighters have responded to over 228 wildfires in Nassau County that burned 1,670 acres, and in many instances, threatened communities and adjoining infrastructure; and

WHEREAS, the Florida Forest Service is actively engaged in promoting and conducting prescribed burns and other wildfire mitigation practices to reduce the size and intensity of a wildfire that may threaten communities and other infrastructure; and

WHEREAS, in the last five years, the Florida Forest Service has mechanically treated 384 acres of forest brush, installed 64 miles of fire lines, and provided 3,133 burn authorizations to local ranchers, tree farmers, and land managers in Nassau County to maintain and restore natural ecosystems and reduce the wildfire hazard.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED this 17th day of July, 2019, by the Board of County Commissioners of Nassau County, Florida, that:

1. The Board hereby congratulates Smokey Bear on his 75th birthday celebration.
2. The Board hereby commends Smokey Bear for his continuous efforts in reminding citizens to be careful when using fire in natural areas.
3. The Board hereby expresses their gratitude to the men and women of the Florida Forest Service for their partnership with Nassau County and Smokey Bear in wildfire prevention and mitigation.

-Sabrina Robertson
County Manager's Office

Pictured: Chairman Justin Taylor, Forest Ranger Tim Steed, Smokey Bear, and Jacksonville District Manager of the Florida Forest Service, Jennifer Hart

6/19/19 @ 9:45 a.m. - At this morning's Board of County Commissioner's meeting, the Board approved a Resolution rescinding the Burn Ban. Therefore, the Burn Ban has officially been lifted.

We apologize for the delay in having it lifted. As we previously stated, several of the County Commissioners were away at a conference last week and could not hold a meeting to rescind the ban. At this morning's meeting, the Board granted the County Manager authority to implement and lift burn bans upon recommendation of the Fire Chief. This should help prevent delays in the future.

As a reminder, you are only allowed to burn yard waste. You are NEVER allowed to burn household garbage (including paper products and newspapers), construction materials, plastics, rubber materials, tires, pesticides, paint, or aerosol containers. Please click here to view the State's "Know the Law" brochure as it relates to burning, required setbacks, etc.

You are also welcome to reach out to Fire Rescue Headquarters at any time with questions. Their number is (904) 530-6600.

-Sabrina Roberston
 County Manager's Office

6/14/19 @ 4:30 p.m. - Please be advised that the Burn Ban is currently still in effect at this time. Fire Chief, Brady Rigdon, spoke with the Florida Forest Service this week regarding current conditions. It was determined that based on the recent rain and rise in humidity levels, the Burn Ban could be lifted.
Unfortunately, several Commissioners were away at a conference this week so they were unable to call a special meeting to lift it due to lack of a quorum.

A Resolution rescinding the Burn Ban is included on the agenda for their regularly scheduled meeting taking place next Wednesday, June 19th. Assuming nothing drastic happens between now and then, the Burn Ban should be lifted at that time. We will be sure to notify everyone right away.

Thank you all for your patience. Should you have any questions. please contact Fire Rescue Headquarters at (904) 530-6600.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

06/10/19 @ 2:00 p.m. - On Thursday, May 30, 2019, Nassau County Fire Rescue held a graduation ceremony for 3 new recruits who just completed 3 weeks of training to become official Firefighters/Paramedics. Both were given their assignments and began at their stations the next day. The first photo from left to right features: Chief Brady Ridgon, Raleigh Zike (new recruit), Michelle Hoover (new recruit), Engineer Paul Thornton (lead instructor), Brandon Taylor (new recruit), and Assistant Chief, Greg Roland.

Fire Rescue also recognized Dr. Farid Ullah for his 47 years of service as the County's Medical Director. As Medical Director, Dr. Ullah was responsible for the medical performance of the paramedics operating for Nassau County Fire Rescue. His service to the County has been exceptional and we truly appreciate all he has done not only for the personnel, but for the citizens as well.

The second photo left to right features: Battalion Chief, Jeff Dodd, Chief Brady Rigdon, Dr. Ullah, and Asst. Chief Greg Roland. In the third photo, Battalion Chief Dodd is presenting Dr. Ullah with a helmet from NCFR for all his years of service. Also pictured is County Manager/County Attorney, Mike Mullin, Recruit Brandon Taylor and Lt. Ken Barr in the background.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

5/31/19 @ 10:00 a.m. -

Nassau County has been awarded a grant from the Florida Department of Health to purchase upgraded reporting software. This new software will improve the department’s ability to report call data to the state in the most current format. The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Data Collection Grant will improve and update Nassau County Fire Rescue's reporting system to meet the criteria needed for the State's Emergency Medical Services Tracking and Reporting System (EMSTARS). Participation in the EMSTARS system is voluntary, however many EMS providers have chosen to participate in this data exchange system for collection of incident level data from other EMS agencies and subsequent analysis for identifying quality improvement initiatives.

Chief Brady Rigdon stated, "NCFR is excited about this grant award. Prior to this award, we were planning to submit this item for consideration in the upcoming budget to improve our reporting capability. We are looking forward to making the reporting process smoother and being better informed about EMS trends across the state by having access to up to date statewide data. Thanks to Chief Roland and Constance Holmes for working diligently to get the application submitted accurately and on time."

After reviewing several products, NCFR selected Image Trend Software as their product format appeared to be best for capturing and storing vital records. Additionally, its features will allow EMS personnel to send information to emergency departments to provide notice that a patient is enroute, thus ensuring the hospital or care center is ready to accept the patient and continue their care as quickly as possible.

The initial cost of the software is $29,467.36 and is fully reimbursable by the grant. The Board of County Commissioners accepted the grant at the April 22, 2019 meeting. 
 
If you have any questions, please contact Nassau County Fire/Rescue at (904) 530-6600.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

5/24/19 @ 1:45 p.m. 

At a Special Meeting today, the Board of County Commissioners approved Resolution No. 2019-102, declaring a burn ban for the unincorporated areas of Nassau County, effectively immediately.
 
All outdoor burning shall be prohibited except pursuant to permits issued by the Florida Forest Service. The outdoor burn ban would not pertain to cooking on attended and monitored barbeque equipment.
 
The burn ban will remain in effect until it is lifted by the Board of County Commissioners, upon a recommendation of the Nassau County Fire Chief.
 
If you have any questions related to the burn ban, please contact Fire Rescue Headquarters at (904) 530-6600.

-Sabrina Robertson
​ County Manager's Office

4/22/19 @ 2:25 p.m.

This edition of RESCUERS FOR RESCUES features Fireman Zack Alkire with Mama, a 4 year old hound mix who loves to run and play. She also loves to swim and seemed very happy to take this photo on a boat so we think she might also love a boat ride.

Thank you Mr. Alkire for helping us spread the word about our homeless pets!

Please share this post and help find Mama a home.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

12/19/18 @ 10:45 a.m. - In July 2018, Nassau County Fire Rescue introduced their new quarterly newsletter, Tailboard, which highlights outstanding achievements, shares stories of rescue, and provides insight to lessons learned by the brave men and women who work tirelessly to protect Nassau County residents and their property.

Attached is Tailboard Issue 2: Year-End Edition.  This edition includes an interview with a local resident who agreed to tell his remarkable story about how Nassau County Fire Rescue saved his life.

We hope you all enjoy this special edition of Tailboard. If you have any questions, please contact Fire Rescue Headquarters at (904) 530-6600.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

10/19/18 @ 11:10 a.m. - Nassau County Fire Rescue, Local 3101, posted the below story on their FaceBook page earlier this week and we thought we would share it for our readers too.

"Sgt Chris Keane of 1st Squadron of the 153rd HHT Calvary Scouts (FNG) and a NCFR FF/Paramedic assigned to Fire Station 70 in O'Neil, while deployed for Michael, Sgt Keane and his squad assisted this family’s fur baby. Cooling him with water and providing him with IV fluids. The family has been without power and water since last week when Hurricane Michael hit the panhandle.
 
The dog’s awareness and activity improved after their interventions.
 
Nice work Sgt. Keane and squad, keep up the good work you are doing."

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office