Spotlight: Public Service
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Crews of Brevard County Fire Station 48 were recognized for their lifesaving efforts in 2023.
In May 2023, Lieutenant Eric Johnson, Lieutenant John DeBerry, Firefighter Devon Walsh, Firefighter Faust Higgins, Firefighter Stanley Moss, Firefighter Mindy Case and Firefighter Christopher Schollmeyer responded to a medical call regarding a 62-year-old man who was found unconscious by his wife.
“Thanks to their quick action, thoroughness and high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the patient regained his pulse before transport and was able to leave the hospital neurologically intact,” said a BCFR spokesperson.
“Back Brevard Heroes was also there to recognize their life-saving actions. Keep up the good work and thank you!”
Brevard County Fire Rescue Station 48 is located at 5550 Porada Drive and is in District 45, which includes stations 44, 45, 46, 47, 48 and 80.
The district extends from State Road 528 to Post Road in the mainland areas, including the city of Palm Shores.
Fire-EMS Operations
Brevard County Fire Rescue provides firefighting services for unincorporated Brevard County. Currently BCFR operates:
■ 31 Fire/EMS Stations
■ 17 AS Fire engines
■ 30 AS Ambulance
■ 4 AS Troop units
■ 1 tower ladder truck
■ 4 turntable ladder trucks
■ 22 bush trucks
■ 1 hazardous goods truck
■ 2 breathing air units
■ 5 district chiefs
■ 1 fire/rescue boats
■ 1 Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) tractor unit
■ 1 mobile command trailer
Emergency medical services (EMS)
The EMS Department of Brevard County Fire Rescue is committed to providing the highest quality of emergency medical care to the citizens. BCFR operates 30 ambulance/transport units, 17 advanced life support (ALS) fire engines, and 4 AS Squad units. All ambulances/transport units are equipped with either two firefighters/paramedics or one firefighter/paramedic and one firefighter/ Paramedicand all AS The fire trucks are manned by at least one firefighter/paramedic. The department provides emergency transportation services for the entire county, a total service area of more than 1,000 square miles.
Special Operations
BCFR operates the only federally recognized Special Operations Team in Brevard County. The Special Operations Team is housed at Station #48 in West Viera and is deployed throughout the county for operations including:
■ Building collapse
■ Dangerous substances events
■ Recovery from heavy vehicles
■ Trench rescue
■ Rope rescue
■ Rescue from confined spaces
■ Terrorist events
All members of the Special Operations Team must be certified hazardous materials technicians. In addition, team members receive training in:
■ Chemical effect and biological reaction
■ Emergency measures in the event of terrorist bombings
■ Emergency measures in the event of a nuclear emergency
■ Advanced life support for hazardous substances
Rescue at sea
The Brevard County Ocean Rescue Division provides safe swimming and beach protection for all Brevard County residents, visitors and tourists in designated areas of unincorporated Brevard County. There are currently 5 full-time protected areas and 26 seasonally protected areas in various beach parks. All Ocean Lifeguards are certified by the United States Lifesaving Association and have at least basic first responder training. Lifeguard duties include accident and drowning prevention, public education, citizen assistance, missing child search and recovery, basic life support and swimmer rescue.
911 emergency call
Located at the Emergency Operation’s Center (EOC) in Rockledge, BCFRs The Emergency Communications Center is fully operational 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. The Communications Center is equipped with the enhanced 911 system, Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), and a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD). A state-of-the-art radio system is used to communicate with responding units. Four systems are monitored by EMS dispatchers who are aware of the locations and deployment locations of all fire department resources. A backup radio system is available in the event of natural disasters or equipment failures.
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