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

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