The City of Zephyrhills - Fire Department

The Department
The Zephyrhills Fire Department is a combination Career/Volunteer Department with 21 career and 20 volunteer positions at the present time. The department operates 15 pieces of equipment, 5 pumpers, 3 medical units with on board air cascade system, command communications, exterior lighting capabilities, and a full compliment of extrication equipment including hydraulics, hand, and pneumatic. We currently cover 32 square miles which consists of city limits and contracted taxing districts. We are located on east side of Pasco County on the west coast in the State of Florida. The area which is covered by this department is a mix of light industry, rural residential housing, including 143 mobile home parks, and a variety of agricultural interests.

Statistics and Manning
In 1996, we responded to calls for assistance 3214 times with 730 calls for fire related services and 2484 calls for medical assistance. The typical shift consists of 6 career personnel, a shift officer, driver, and four firefighters, working a 24 hour shift with 4 administrative personnel on duty from 8am to 5pm. The volunteers are on an on-call basis and respond as directed during emergencies to augment the career staff.

The department and the volunteer organization sponsor a variety of service programs to serve the community as well as support the daily operations within the department.

The Senior Volunteer Program
In 1995, the Department, faced with a restrictive budget and an ever increasing demand for services found in the community a group of retired persons with the willingness to support the fire department's goals by volunteering their time to assist in staff operations such as answering phones, data entry, and other clerical duties and support functions such as hydrant flowing and maintenance, repairs and maintenance to the stations, and hose testing to name a few. These are persons who have worked in many fields during their career years and still desire to stay active in the community. We have found a wealth of knowledge and ability in this group of people and with the growth of their numbers in the department, we plan to expand the program further such as the addition of a community blood pressure program. Though not a new idea, this provides a method to staff the program without causing a strain on other areas. We are always looking for additional persons interested in participation.

The Explorer Post
The Zephyrhills Fire Department in co-operation with the Volunteer Fire-Rescue Squad operates a Boy Scout Post-Explorer Division. The post members are both male and female ages 14 through 18. At 18 they may pursue volunteer membership. All of the members of the post are trained in CPR, First Aid, dispatching procedures, and basic firefighting techniques which are required for advancement within the post rank structure. The member after completing a departmentally designed course, which includes firefighting skills and tactics, authorization, which allows the member to ride and participate in various emergency operations. We feel that if a member stays with the post and continues to show the required proficiencies, we have the best possible candidate to apply for a career position. We have several career personnel who were some of the first members of the post and have attained various ranks within the Department. For more information of the post contact the Fire Department.

The Volunteer Fire-Rescue Service
This organization was formed in 1972 out of a need to establish a rescue service which could augment the fire department with man power and equipment primarily for rescue services which were not available from within the area. The organization originally responded in a coverage area exceeding 80 square miles, this area has been reduced as these services were provided by other organized departments. Funding for the organization is through donations with the initial responding personnel being provided by the Fire Department for a more rapid response.

In closing, I would like to leave you with the organization mission statement and some tips on fire safety.

Zephyrhills Mission Statement

The mission of Zephyrhills Fire and Rescue is to protect
the lives and property with our community by
constantly striving to prevent and minimize the efforts of
fire, natural or manmade disasters or other emergencies.

We are committed to
excellence, professionalism,
courtesy, and dedication to duty.




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	Zephyrhills Fire Department The Department The Zephyrhills Fire Department is a combination Career/Volunteer Department with 21 career and 20 volunteer positions at the present time. The department operates 15 pieces of equipment, 5 pumpers, 3 medical units with on board air cascade system, command communications, exterior lighting capabilities, and a full compliment of extrication equipment including hydraulics, hand, and pneumatic. We currently cover 32 square miles which consists of city limits and contracted taxing districts. We are located on east side of Pasco County on the west coast in the State of Florida. The area which is covered by this department is a mix of light industry, rural residential housing, including 143 mobile home parks, and a variety of agricultural interests. Statistics and Manning In 1996, we responded to calls for assistance 3214 times with 730 calls for fire related services and 2484 calls for medical assistance. The typical shift consists of 6 career personnel, a shift officer, driver, and four firefighters, working a 24 hour shift with 4 administrative personnel on duty from 8am to 5pm. The volunteers are on an on-call basis and respond as directed during emergencies to augment the career staff. The department and the volunteer organization sponsor a variety of service programs to serve the community as well as support the daily operations within the department. The Senior Volunteer Program In 1995, the Department, faced with a restrictive budget and an ever increasing demand for services found in the community a group of retired persons with the willingness to support the fire department's goals by volunteering their time to assist in staff operations such as answering phones, data entry, and other clerical duties and support functions such as hydrant flowing and maintenance, repairs and maintenance to the stations, and hose testing to name a few. These are persons who have worked in many fields during their career years and still desire to stay active in the community. We have found a wealth of knowledge and ability in this group of people and with the growth of their numbers in the department, we plan to expand the program further such as the addition of a community blood pressure program. Though not a new idea, this provides a method to staff the program without causing a strain on other areas. We are always looking for additional persons interested in participation. The Explorer Post The Zephyrhills Fire Department in co-operation with the Volunteer Fire-Rescue Squad operates a Boy Scout Post-Explorer Division. The post members are both male and female ages 14 through 18. At 18 they may pursue volunteer membership. All of the members of the post are trained in CPR, First Aid, dispatching procedures, and basic firefighting techniques which are required for advancement within the post rank structure. The member after completing a departmentally designed course, which includes firefighting skills and tactics, authorization, which allows the member to ride and participate in various emergency operations. We feel that if a member stays with the post and continues to show the required proficiencies, we have the best possible candidate to apply for a career position. We have several career personnel who were some of the first members of the post and have attained various ranks within the Department. For more information of the post contact the Fire Department. The Volunteer Fire-Rescue Service This organization was formed in 1972 out of a need to establish a rescue service which could augment the fire department with man power and equipment primarily for rescue services which were not available from within the area. The organization originally responded in a coverage area exceeding 80 square miles, this area has been reduced as these services were provided by other organized departments. Funding for the organization is through donations with the initial responding personnel being provided by the Fire Department for a more rapid response. In closing, I would like to leave you with the organization mission statement and some tips on fire safety. Zephyrhills Mission Statement The mission of Zephyrhills Fire and Rescue is to protect the lives and property with our community by constantly striving to prevent and minimize the efforts of fire, natural or manmade disasters or other emergencies. We are committed to excellence, professionalism, courtesy, and dedication to duty.

	5335 Eighth Street, Zephyrhills, Florida 33540 (813)780-000