Fire Administration
Fire protection is provided by 18 municipal and independent special district fire departments serving the citizens and visitors of Pinellas County. Every fire department within Pinellas County has entered into a written Automatic Aid Agreement, which ensures that the closest unit responds to all emergency fire or EMS calls, regardless of location or jurisdiction. Dispatching for all fire departments is provided by a single communication center operated by Pinellas County.
Pinellas County maintains contracts with ten municipal agencies and one independent fire district to provide fire protection services to unincorporated areas within the respective fire districts. Four independent fire districts (East Lake, Palm Harbor, Lealman and Pinellas Suncoast Fire and Rescue District) have taxing authority within their respective fire districts and provide fire suppression services to those residents directly.
Know your risk: Learn how to stay safe from wildfires and other threats.
Additional Services and Information
Special Operations Teams
The Pinellas County Fire Division provides funding and support for two of the countywide Special Operations Teams; the Hazardous Materials Response Team and the Technical Rescue Team. Six fire departments provide staffing for these specialized teams which allows for an efficient countywide delivery system. The County schedules and coordinates monthly training and provides funding for training, equipment and vehicles for each of the Special Operations Teams.
Fire Prevention
Each fire district maintains responsibility for fire code inspections and prevention activities along with fire and life safety code enforcement within their district. The fire inspectors work together with Pinellas County’s Building & Development Review Services for construction projects within their districts that require plan reviews.
Open Burning
County Code Chapter 58 addresses the County rules that apply towards open burning, land clearing and recreational fires. Click the link for more details.