911 Communications Center
PBCFR’s Communications Center is the largest secondary Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) in Palm Beach County. The Communications Center is a multi-agency operation that handles fire and medical emergency communications for PBCFR, including eight municipal Fire-Rescue Departments. PBCFR is an all-hazards fire rescue department resulting in its Communications Center processing over 400,000 phone calls, annually.
The Palm Beach County Fire Rescue (PBCFR) Communications Center is the vital link between you and emergency services. Our team is expertly managed by the Division Chief of Emergency Management and supported by a dedicated group of professionals.
- Experienced Leadership: The Alarm Office Manager, Quality Assurance Managers, Training Supervisor, and GIS/CAD Specialist ensure smooth operations and continuous improvement.
- Fire Operations Officer (FOO): The crucial connection between the Communications Center and field crews, monitoring critical calls and securing additional resources when needed.
PBCFR Communicators: Your Trusted Voice in Emergencies
Our Communications Center is staffed by 61 highly trained Communicator-III professionals, overseen by four experienced Communicator Supervisors.
- State-Certified: PBCFR Communicators hold Florida State certifications as 911 Public Safety Telecommunicators.
- Nationally Recognized: They are also nationally certified in CPR, Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD), and Fire Service Communications.
PBCFR Communicators’ Skills Make a Difference
- Rapid Response: Using advanced technology, they efficiently locate you and dispatch the appropriate emergency services.
- Life-Saving Instruction: When necessary, they provide clear and calm guidance on CPR or other life-saving measures until help arrives.
- Seamless Communication: They operate complex radio systems and a Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system, ensuring clear communication and coordination with first responders – including law enforcement, fire rescue agencies, hospitals, and air medical teams.
PBCFR Communicators are the lifeline to critical emergency services. In Palm Beach County, you can be assured of a prompt, professional response when you call 911.
Public Information Office
Stay informed, stay engaged, stay safe with Palm Beach County Fire Rescue (PBCFR)! Our Public Information and Media Services Team is dedicated to keeping you connected with the vital services we provide.
As the official source of information for PBCFR, the Public Information Office is your one-stop shop for everything fire rescue in Palm Beach County. We deliver timely and accurate updates on:
- Emergency Incidents: Get the latest information on major events and how they may impact you.
- Public Safety: Learn valuable fire prevention tips, disaster preparedness plans, and crucial safety reminders.
- Fire Rescue Services: Explore the comprehensive services offered by PBCFR, from fire suppression to emergency medical care.
- Community Outreach Programs: Discover how PBCFR is actively involved in keeping our community safe.
The right information, at the right time, in the right hands.
That's the core principle guiding the Public Information Office. Here's how we achieve it:
- Media Outreach: We facilitate interviews with fire officials and organize press conferences to ensure accurate information reaches the public.
- Clear Communication: Through press releases, social media updates, and informative publications, we keep you informed about important fire safety news and departmental activities.
- Effective Incident Response: During emergencies, we provide real-time updates to keep the community informed and prepared.
- Engaging Social Media Presence: Follow us on social media for fire safety tips, community events, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into the dedicated work of our firefighters and paramedics.
- Honoring Traditions: We share stories about PBCFR's rich history, department traditions, and prestigious award ceremonies.
- Proactive Community Engagement: We develop and manage public outreach campaigns to educate residents and foster a culture of safety in Palm Beach County.
Media Services
Palm Beach County Fire Rescue (PBCFR) boasts a highly-respected Media Services department, instrumental in keeping the community safe and informed. With over 51 fire stations serving a vast 1,800 square mile area, PBCFR's media team plays a vital role in:
- Educating the Public: Public safety messages created by the Media Services department empower Palm Beach County residents to be prepared for emergencies.
- Training the Heroes: Award-winning video productions ensure firefighters and paramedics across all stations have access to the latest training in medical science, equipment, and departmental advancements, even in remote locations.
- Engaging on Social Media: The team keeps the community informed and connected through informative and engaging social media content.
- Live Events & Streaming: From community events to press conferences, PBCFR's Media Services Department captures and broadcasts them live, fostering transparency and community connection.
PBCFR's Media Services are experts in:
- Video Production (Training & Public Communication)
- Public Safety Message Creation
- Social Media Content Development
- Fire Rescue Photography
- Graphic Design & Publications
- Live Event & Stream Management
Radio Shop
PBCFR's Radio Shop is the backbone of our communication network, operating around the clock to ensure first responders have seamless communication. Our highly skilled team, including a Communications Coordinator and five Electronics Technicians, manages a vast inventory for all 51 PBCFR stations and 29 municipal stations.
This includes:
- Upkeep of over 1,900 radios and 1,200 pagers.
- Maintenance of ten 800Mhz repeater sites, eight pager repeater sites, and two VHF repeater sites.
- Management of the fire station alerting system (Locution).
- Support for station and mobile data computers (MDCs).
- Overall responsibility for various other vital wireless communication equipment.
By providing budgeting, procurement, installation, repair, and maintenance services, the Radio Shop guarantees PBCFR's continuous connection. This ensures our firefighters, paramedics, and other personnel can effectively respond to emergencies, safeguarding Palm Beach County's communities.
Information Technology Services
Palm Beach County Fire Rescue's Information Technology Services (ITS) Department is the backbone of our department's technological infrastructure. Our dedicated ITS team ensures the smooth operation of critical systems for over 1,700 PBCFR first responders and staff across 49 fire stations, Palm Beach International Airport, Communications Center, Support Services, and Headquarters.
Here's what ITS brings to Palm Beach County Fire Rescue:
- Uninterrupted Operation: We ensure 24/7 uptime for vital applications, servers, computers, and mobile devices used by our firefighters, paramedics, and emergency medical technicians.
- Enhanced Safety and Response: ITS facilitates seamless system integration between PBCFR's Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system and the technology utilized by eight partnering municipal fire departments. This allows for faster and more coordinated emergency response across Palm Beach County.
- Technical Expertise: Our team offers a wide range of IT services, including application development and evaluation, web administration, network security, domain administration, mobile device management, and comprehensive inventory control.
- Equipping Our Teams: ITS maintains a robust inventory of technology to support our first responders, including approximately 750 desktop computers, 250 mobile computers, 150 tablets, 300 rugged laptops, and 350 cellular devices.
Palm Beach County Fire Rescue prioritizes the safety and well-being of our community. A strong and reliable IT infrastructure is crucial for our mission, and the ITS department plays a vital role in keeping our technology up-to-date and operational.
