1/16/20 @ 12:45 p.m. - On Thursday, January 9th, Senator Bean held a special ceremony at Station 20 to share information on a recently passed bill, CS/CS/SB "Firefighters", which will help firefighters diagnosed with cancer receive disability benefits. He also announced a new bill for the 2020 Legislation Session, SB 1092 and HB 487, "Fire Presentation and Control", which if approved, will create a Firefighter Cancer Decontamination Equipment Grant Program. 

Guest speakers at the event included: Nassau County Fire Chief, Brady Rigdon; Senator Aaron Bean; State Representative Cord Byrd; Commissioner Justin Taylor; Fire Union Local 3101 President, Darron Ayscue; and event organizer, Ashley Harvey.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

1/6/20 @ 4:10 p.m. - Attached is a Press Release regarding a special recognition event taking place this week to share information on a successfully passed bill, CS/CS/SB 526 "Firefighters" which will help firefighters diagnosed with cancer receive disability payments. In addition, Senator Bean and Representative Fetterhoff will unveil their new bill for the 2020 legislative session, SB 1092 and HB 487 "Fire Presentation and Control", relating to decontamination of firefighter equipment.

The event will take place this Thursday, January 9, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at Station 20 located at 5518 First Coast Highway, Fernandina Beach. The public is welcome to attend.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

12/18/19 @ 1:20 p.m. - The Florida Department of Transportation recently installed new pavement markings in front of Station 50 located at 542310 US Highway 1 in Callahan. Please note that these markings were placed to prevent motorists from blocking the driveway to the Station to allow rescue vehicles to get out quickly during an emergency.

FDOT has indicated that drivers have not been obeying the markings so they are increasing public outreach efforts to spread the word. Please review the graphic above and take note of the shape in the middle of the intersection. Remember that anytime you see this shape on the road, you should not stop your vehicle in that spot.

Thank you for your attention to this matter and for ensuring that emergency personnel don't waste valuable time when responding to a call for service.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

10/30/19 @ 5:25 p.m. - On Tuesday, October 15th, Nassau County Fire Rescue visited Faith Christian Academy for a fire prevention presentation. The children learned about what to do in case of a fire, dialing 9-1-1 during an emergency and safety techniques like "stop, drop and roll". They were a very attentive and fun group of kids!

If you would like to arrange for Fire/Rescue to speak to your school or special interest room, please contact Fire/Rescue Headquarters at (904) 530-6600 or email Chief Ridgon at brigdon@nassaucountyfl.com.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

9/20/19 @ 4:15 p.m. - At the Board of County Commissioner's meeting held on Wednesday, September 18, 2019, the Board presented Resolution No. 2019-140 commending government employees, agencies and individuals who assisted the County during Hurricane Dorian.

The room was filled with law enforcement personnel, first responders, employees and various agencies such as the Port Authority, Florida Department of Health, Florida Department of Transportation, School Board, Baptist Medical Center Nassau, among many, many others.

Chairman Justin Taylor expressed his gratitude to everyone for all their efforts and stated, "I know it was tough being away from your families and working hard for several days. I want the citizens to know that they were well taken care of should the storm had taken a catastrophic turn".

County Manager, Mike Mullin, echoed Chairman Taylor's sentiments, adding, "The public never gets the opportunity to see what happens at the Emergency Operations Center. If they did, they'd have an entirely different view. Sometimes the public feels irrirated whether it's a curfew that's been implemented or an evacuation order. They don't realize how many hours all these good men and women devote to listening to the Hurricane Center, to evaluating the information, to making decisions for the safety of the residents".

To watch the presentation, please click this link.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

9/12/19 @ 9:40 a.m. - Nassau County Emergency Management notified us that first responders are working the scene of an active gas leak at the corner of Chester Road and State Road 200. Roads are blocked and traffic is being detoured. Please avoid the area. Residents in the immediate area should shelter in place until further notice.

If you have any questions, please contact Emergency Management at (904) 548-0900.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

9/11/19 @ 10:45 a.m. - Today, we remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001 and reflect on how government agencies joined together in the response and recovery.

Today, we  extend our appreciation to all the brave men and women who were willing to risk their lives to protect their fellow Americans.

Today, we give special thanks to the Nassau County Sheriff's Office and Nassau County Fire Rescue for what they do everyday. 

-Sabrina Robertson
​County Manager's Office 

8/30/19 @ 12:00 p.m. - The County just participated in a conference call with the State of Florida and National Hurricane Center at 11:20 a.m. Current models show the storm making landfill early next week somewhere along the Florida southeast coast as a Category 4 storm. At this current time, there are no plans for evacuation as the effects of the storm are not anticipated to be felt in Nassau until Wednesday or Thursday of next week. Of course, this could change as the storm progresses so it's important for Nassau County residents to remain vigilant.

The Florida Highway Patrol will begin escorting fuel trucks to the State of Florida today. The State has  fuel tankers, additional rescue units, helicopters, utility vehicles and water search and rescue teams on stand-by and will be staging them so they are ready to respond to affected areas immediately following the storm.

Should the Hurricane stay on its current track, it is anticipated that it will turn north and travel over Northeast Florida around Wednesday or Thursday next week. At that time, we could experience hurricane forced wind gusts and long, extended periods of rain.

The County is still issuing sandbags from 7am-9pm as announced earlier this week at the following locations:

• 97177 Pogy Place, Fernandina Beach, FL (North End  Boat Ramp)
• 86142 Goodbread Rd., Yulee, FL (Yulee Sports Complex)
• 45401 Mickler Street, Callahan (Walter Boatright County Building)
• 37356 Pea Farm Rd., Hilliard, FL (Hilliard Road & Bridge Yard)

Residents will be required to fill their own bags. Both bags and shovels will be provided. Please limit bags to 25 per household.

RESIDENTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE ID FOR PROOF OF RESIDENCY TO OBTAIN SANDBAGS. THIS IS BEING DONE IN AN EFFORT TO ENSURE ONLY NASSAU COUNTY RESIDENTS ARE COLLECTING SANDBAGS AS WE WANT TO HAVE ENOUGH FOR EVERYONE RESIDING IN NASSAU COUNTY.

SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TODAY
The Board of County Commissioners are holding a Special Meeting at 3:00 p.m. to discuss the storm and what the County is doing to prepare. That meeting will be held in the Commission Chambers located at 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL32097. It can also be viewed on our website by clicking here.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

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