Operations

The largest division within the Port Orange Fire Department is the Operations Division, which is responsible for emergency medical services, fire suppression, mitigation of disasters, and rescue activities.

Division Chief of Operations, Joe Meeske has been serving the community of Port Orange since 1996. DC Meeske is committed to providing the citizens and visitors of Port Orange with the highest level of service in all aspects of fire and emergency services. 

In 2017, the Department improved its Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating from a 4 to a 3. This improved rating provides insurance companies with pertinent information that the companies utilize to establish insurance rates for the community.  We have identified additional areas for improvements and hope to improve our rating even further in the future.  

 

 

 

Organization

The Operations Division is comprised of three separate shifts consisting of 19 firefighters per shift. The firefighters work a 24 / 48 schedule throughout the year and provide protection to the community 24 / 7. Each shift is supervised by a Battalion Chief who is responsible for the emergency and administrative activities of their shifts.

   

Joseph Meeske dept pic

The City of Port Orange Fire and Rescue responds from five fire stations that are geographically located throughout the community to provide a quick response during emergencies. The departments first run apparatus are all advanced life support.


Response

In 2021, the fire department responded to 10,105 requests for service. The average response time for both emergency and non-emergency calls in the City of Port Orange was 6:32 seconds.


Fire Department Services

Our firefighters do much more than just fight fires. They provide a wide variety of services within the community such as:

  • Physically inspections of commercial buildings for fire safety violations
  • Provide emergency medical services
  • Perform non-emergency services
  • Provide stand-by medical support for events located in the city
  • Provide a community sharps disposal program
  • Work within the community to educate and raise general awareness on issues of fire safety
  • Provide "walk-in" blood pressure screening at neighborhood fire stations
  • Give free fire station tours upon request