Palm Beach County Fire Rescue

Helpful Links

News Archives

PBCFR Department News

Browse News Articles

Teddy Bear Donation to Station 28: Battalion Chief M. Arena. Posted on June 11^th , 2013
On Monday, June 10th - the firefighters of Palm Beach County Fire Rescue - Royal Palm Fire House 28 were presented with a trunk load of high quality stuffed animals. The Teddy Bear delivery was organized by Janice Franer, The Senior Second Half Ministries - Community of Hope UMC. The firefighters were proud to accept and pose with these gifts - they will be used on emergency calls in our community when a little one needs a special extra something to brighten their smile.

Palm Beach County Fire Rescue is thankful for benevolent organizations and citizens like Mrs. Franer that help with thoughtful improvements that enhance the quality of its service delivery.
Water Safety Event at Wellington Aquatics Center: Capt A. Borroto. Posted on June 4^th , 2013
On Saturday June 1, 2013 a community water safety event was held at the Wellington Aquatics Center. Members from the Drowning Prevention Coalition were on location along with local businesses and hospitals to stress the importance of water safety. Information on swim lessons and pool safety was provided to all visitors. There was even a water emergency demonstration performed by the lifeguards and volunteers. The event was a success with valuable information being provided to the public concerning services available in Palm Beach County on water safety.
Crews Battle Fire at Bicycle Store: Capt. A. Borroto. Posted on June 3^rd , 2013
On Monday June 3, 2013 units from Palm Beach County Fire Rescue responded to reports of smoke from a commercial building at 1649 Military Trail. The first arriving Engine Company reported they had smoke coming from the eaves of the business and were investigating the source. The ladder company crews went on the roof and stated they had fire from the back corner of the building. Firefighters were able to cut an opening in the roof and immediately find the source of the fire, shortly thereafter extinguishing it. Salvage covers were utilized during the operation to minimize damage to the store merchandise. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Commercial Structure Fire at Sugar Mill: Capt. A. Borroto. Posted on June 3^rd , 2013
At 8:15pm on Thursday May 30, 2013 units from Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Battalion 7 responded to reports of a fire at the Okeelanta Sugar Mill. While responding, crews reported seeing a large column of smoke and visible flames from several miles away. On arrival firefighters found a turbine at the power plant for the mill was on fire. Firefighters quickly began protecting the exposures around the turbine while plant managers began to shut the oil supply to the turbine. All workers at the power plant were evacuated as a safety precaution. With the fuel supply shut down, firefighters were quickly able to bring the fire under control. Crews continued to cool the machinery until it was safe to enter the plant and check for hidden fire or hazards. Upon entering the plant, fire crews found no hazards or hidden fire and the plant was turned over to the on location supervisors. Palm Beach County Fire Rescue maintained a fire watch thru the evening due to the heat that the machinery continued to generate from the fire. The cause the fire is under investigation.
Semi Truck versus Mower Accident in South Bay: District Captain C. Prusanky. Posted on May 29^th , 2013
On Tuesday, May 28, 2013, at 3:11 pm, crews from Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Stations 73 and 74 responded to a tractor-trailer vs. mower crash on US Highway 27 just north of the City of South Bay. Even though the damage was significant, no one was seriously injured in the crash. The crash is under investigation by the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.
Gas Leak Causes Evacuation of Wellington Shopping Plaza: Capt. A. Borroto. Posted on May 28^th , 2013
On Tuesday May 28, 2013 crews responded to reports of a gas leak in Wellington behind a Publix shopping Plaza. On arrival crews discovered that a worker had accidentally struck a natural gas line while removing an underground propane tank. As a precaution, the stores in the plaza were evacuated and crews went inside each store checking for gas fumes. The department Hazardous Materials Team entered the area of damaged pipe and was able to clamp off and stop the gas leak. Florida Public Utilities was called to repair the damaged pipeline and once all stores were confirmed free of any gas fumes the plaza was reopened for business.
Trapped Construction Worker Rescued in Battalion One: Capt. A. Borroto. Posted on May 28^th , 2013
At 1145am on Friday May 24, 2013 units from Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Battalion One, Pratt Whitney Fire Rescue and Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue responded to reports of a construction accident on Seminole Pratt Whitney Rd and Beeline Hwy (outside the entrance to Pratt Whitney). On arrival crews found an adult male that been working 20 feet down on a pipeline when the equipment shifted and struck him. The worker was pinned between equipment in the hole and the shoring on the wall. Fire rescue personnel entered the hole and assessed the patient while Special Operations units readied a basket for the technical rescue to raise the patient from the location. The patient suffered injuries that required his transport to a trauma center and upon being lifted out of the hole was transported to a waiting Trauma Hawk and taken to St Mary�s for treatment of his injuries.
PBCFR Explorer Post 205 Hosts Annual Firematics Competition: M. Lobsinger. Posted on May 28^th , 2013
On Saturday May 18, 2013, Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Explorers hosted the annual �Explorer Firematics Competition� at Palm Beach County Fire Rescue�s Regional Training Complex. Explorer posts from Martin County, St. Lucie County, and Palm Beach Gardens attended to participate in this competition. The teams competed in events such as hose advancement, running hose, midnight drill, fire scene relay, and search and rescue. It was a close battle between all the teams and in some events only seconds separating the different teams.

St. Lucie County Fire Department Explorers Post 448 took First place in three events and was the overall winner of the competition.

Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Explorers Post 205 took second place overall and first place in Search and Rescue with a time of 28 seconds!

Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue won third Place overall.

At the conclusion of the day all participants, advisors and volunteers had a fun, safe, exciting time.

Thank you to all that came out to support their teams!

A special thank you goes out to Deputy Chief Mark Anderson, Division Chief Michael Mackey, Division Chief James Gribble, Chief Kevin Rattey and the entire Volunteer Battalion. Without their assistance this event could not have been accomplished.
Pool Safety Door Hangers Distributed as part of National Water Safety Month: Anna Stewart. Posted on May 23^rd , 2013
As part of National Water Safety month the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser�s Office partnered with the Drowning Prevention Coalition of Palm Beach County to encourage residents to be safe in the water. Members from the property appraiser�s office placed pool safety door hangers, listing water safety tips, on the front door of 500 residences throughout Palm Beach County.
Jeff Annas and Michael J Sweeney Memorial Scholarships: Chief Richard Ellis. Posted on May 22^nd , 2013
The 3rd Annual Jeff Annas Memorial Scholarship Awards Presentation was held May 16, 2013 at Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Main Headquarters. This year 16 students were awarded a total of $9,000. This brings the 3 year total to $20,000 in Scholarships. The scholarship money is a direct result from the Jeff Annas Memorial Firefighters 5k run held in September each year. This year will be the 6th year of the race and thus far the race has generated over $50,000 for local charities including Little Smiles and the Scholarship Fund. The Race and the Scholarships are named after Captain Jeff Annas who passed away on March 30th, 2008. In the spirit of Jeff Annas the Scholarships are awarded to students who not only excel in their academics but most important in their commitment to serving the community. Captain Jeff Annas was a caring compassionate person and was a teacher and mentor to many. These are the qualities you will find in all the scholarship winners.

This year the family of Mike Sweeney also started the Michael J Sweeney Memorial Scholarship to honor Driver Engineer Mike Sweeney who recently lost his battle with cancer and passed away after a 30 year career with Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue. The Firefighters Benevolent Fund is proud to not only award the Jeff Annas Memorial Scholarships but also the new Michael J Sweeney Scholarship.

Congratulations to the winners of the 2013 Jeff Annas Scholarships and the Michael J. Sweeney Memorial Scholarship:

Retz-Nallie Michel
Jacquelynne Dauk
Leonor Calderon
Lauren McCurdy
Courtney McEwen
Nykeythia Reid
Brandon Lawrence
Francisco Sarmiento
Erin McKay
Stephanie Wilson
Melissa Fortnash
Kristin Donechie
Samantha Baselice
Michael Springthorpe
Elizabeth Williams
Megan Christmas
Progressive Agricultural Safety Day: Capt. C. Prusansky. Posted on May 22^nd , 2013
On May 16th, 2013, personnel from the Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Community Education Division and Station 72 along with several other agencies helped to educate elementary school children from The Glades during this annual event. The children learned things such as how to exit your home in case of a fire, railroad safety and a visual demonstration from FHP on why you really need to wear your seatbelt.

Quality * Efficiency * Customer Relations * Employee Health & Safety
	PBC Fire Rescue \| Jobs \| Links \| FAQs \| Site Map \| Contact Us ©2004 Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners. ° Disclaimer