Message from Chief Bill Northcutt - For all Emergencies Dial 9-1-1
Gainesville Fire Rescue has been saving lives and property since 1882. The department's 132 firefighters and 15 emergency vehicles respond to over 15,000 calls a year including building fires, brush fires, auto accidents, emergency medical services, hazardous materials incidents, aircraft rescues and natural disasters. Operations Deputy Chief Gene Prince oversees seven fire stations which house the personnel and equipment responsible for emergency response in a 135-square-mile area with a population of 145,000 (this includes the City and adjacent areas of Alachua County). The department's Risk Reduction Bureau pursues an aggressive fire prevention and risk reduction program that involves inspection, education, and planning under the direction of Deputy Chief Tim Hayes. Our Support Services Bureau, led by Assistant Chief Michael Randolph, produces an in-house television show, Fire Center, which airs every Friday at 1:30 p.m. on our local government Channel 12. In addition to Fire Center, the bureau creates and delivers courses and drills for Company Officer Development, EMS and Fire training. The Hazardous Materials team, managed by Special Operations Chief Don Sessions, works with facilities that deal with dangerous fuels and chemicals to ensure a quick and correct response should a hazardous materials incident occur. The vital mission of GFR is learning, planning, and applying more effective ways of dealing with emergency situations to ensure our personnel are equipped to deliver the best possible services to the citizens of Gainesville and our surrounding communities.