Pasco County Fire Rescue began as a career fire department in 1974.  Fire stations and facilities are spread through out Pasco County, and cover approximately 764 square miles serving a population of over 470,00 people.  At this time, the department provides fire protection covering all of unincorporated Pasco County, including the cities of Dade City, San Antonio, and Saint Leo.  Pasco County Fire Rescue also provides ALS level emergency medical ambulance services to the entire county.  The department operates out of 28 stations with approximately 420 paid professionals and over 210 volunteers, along with a support staff of approximately 65 people, which include administration, ambulance billing, supply, and emergency communications.  The department is a cross-trained agency in which all paid fire fighters are required to be trained as EMT's or paramedics.  The department's ISO (Insurance Services Organization) rating is 4/9.

Pasco County Fire Rescue Division provides advanced life support EMS coverage to the county from 21 career stations. Each ALS Rescue Unit is staffed with a Paramedic and an EMT/Firefighter. Rescue units are equipped with the ability to obtain 12-Lead EKGs and  Paramedics are trained to recognize heart attacks from these EKGs.

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The Pasco County Fire Rescue Amador J. Gonzalo Training Center provides a full service training facility for Pasco County Fire Rescue personnel. It conducts Fire, EMS, and Hazmat training for all new hire orientees. The training center conducts Firefighter 1 classes for all department volunteer firefighters, and ongoing training for volunteers. Continuing education is provided to all department career personnel, in Fire, EMS, and Hazmat techniques. Promotional testing. Located on the training grounds, is a state of the art Fire Simulator, training tower, burn building, and classrooms.

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The Fire Inspections Division conducts building plans review and inspections of new businesses as well as annual fire safety inspections of existing businesses.

Fire Investigators determine fire cause and point of origin on all fires that are suspicious or without a definite cause.

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Pasco County's Honor Guard was created in 1995 to honor those who have passed on and left a unique family of men & women in the emergency services field. A family that has no boundaries, people that have dedicated their lives to saving others even if it means one of their own. Honor Guards were created to salute, remember and thank those brave men & women. In 1995 and again in 1996 Pasco County's Honor Guard took third place in the state of Florida's Honor Guards competition. The Honor Guard consists of 16 members with arms and hearts wide open and plans to keep the tradition for future Honor Guard members.

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Pasco County Emergency Communications/911 Center handles over 230,000 calls to 911 per year. As the primary Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) for Pasco County, the communications center receives over 90% of all calls to 911. The PSAP receives wired calls from all unincorporated areas in Pasco County and all cell phone calls from anywhere within the county.

The Emergency Communications/911 Center is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with certified Emergency Medical Dispatchers (EMDs).  The state-of-the-art center was one of the first certified training centers for emergency dispatchers and call takers in the state of Florida.

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Supporting both Combat and Rescue with Medical Supplies, Safety Gear, Clothing and Equipment, the two-building facility, of nearly 6,500 square feet of storage, is centrally located in the county. Technology includes a bar-coded inventory and distribution process, and a state-of-the-art color-coded order selection process, the facility maximizes space, and is slotted on a velocity basis-allowing for minimal travel time (while selecting orders), with room for growth projected into the next decade. The Complex serves the 30 plus Fire Stations and Emergency Services Buildings on a weekly basis-delivering to ALL locations at least twice per month.  Fire Rescue Supply is prepared to accommodate the ever-expanding Department with over 600 line items (equipment and medical supplies), along with over 200 special-order items.

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The fire explorer program is open to young men and woman ages 14 - 20 who want to learn about the fire service through hands on, practical and classroom evolutions. Under the guidance of the members of Pasco County Fire Rescue, explorers will learn all aspects of emergency services, from training and day-to-day operations to fire tactics and emergency medical care. After completing a training program explorers will be able to ride-along on the fire apparatus.

Some areas that Explorers will be trained in are:
• Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)
• Hand tools
• Fire Scene Operations
• Fire Prevention
• Basic Emergency Medical care / First Responder
• Forestry / Brush Fire Operations
• CPR Certification

Once the initial training is complete the explorers will be able to assist on emergency scenes. While explorers can't go into a burning building they will be able to assist on the scene with getting equipment, assisting with firefighter Rehab, and helping get the trucks and equipment back in service. If you are interested in becoming a member of our Explorer post please email Chief Tim Reardon