FACT: Sumter County Fire Rescue operates 10 Fire Stations in the County

FACT: Sumter County Fire Rescue has 140 members, including the Chief.

FACT: S.C.F.R. is comprised of 3 Battalions, each with an Assistant Chief and Safety / Training Division Chief that answer directly to the Fire Chief.

FACT: In 2001, what is now S.C.F.R. handled over 3,550 calls and The Villages Fire Department handled over 1,500 calls. The Villages Fire Rescue operates as the 4th Battalion in Sumter County, with its own Chief and paid staff. Projections indicate approx. 7,000 calls in 2002 between both S.C.F.R. & The Villages Fire Rescue combined.

Answer: Sumter County Fire Rescue was formed through the unification of 10 separate fire departments that existed in Sumter County prior to October 1, 2002. This unification was the result of over 18 months of hard work and dedication of a Fire Services Steering Committee studying the feasibility of unification. The Board of County Commissioners of Sumter County gave the "green light" to the concept and hired the FIRST countywide Fire Services Director on March 11, 2002.

FAQ: When did Sumter County Fire Rescue become operational?

Answer: Sumter County Fire Rescue became operational on October 1, 2002 and is the newest department in the Sumter County Government B.O.C.C. Organization and THE NEWEST FIRE RESCUE AGENCY in the State of Florida. We have managed to combine the traditions and members of 10 fine departments; Oxford, Wildwood, Royal, Coleman Bushnell, Tri-County, Lake Panasoffkee, Center Hill, Webster & Croom-A-Coochee into a single Countywide Fire Rescue agency, with a Unified Structure and Administration, under one countywide Fire Services Director.

FAQ: What are goals and objectives of Sumter County Fire Rescue?

Answer: We have already begun to achieve our First Year's Goals; including;

1. Establish a Countywide Fire Prevention Program by establishing
   a full-time Fire Inspector / Investigator reporting to the Fire Chief.
   
2. Provide First-Response Basic Life Support throughout Sumter County through an agreement with Lake/Sumter EMS, who will continue to provide definitive Advanced Life Support and Emergency Transportation.
   
3. Train all of the Sumter County 911 Operators as Nationally Certified Emergency Fire Dispatchers, and follow national guidelines for Fire Rescue Incident Command & Communications