A Message from the Chief

Tamarac Fire Rescue has been serving our Community since 1975. We pride ourselves on providing high quality fire and emergency medical services to our residents, businesses and visitors

Responding to emergencies and remaining proficient with the skills required to prevent and suppress fires, deliver emergency medical care, and educate members of our Community in health and safety issues requires constant vigilance and training. The 109 members of our career department are highly trained and dedicated individuals with the ability to provide assistance in a variety of emergency and non-emergency situations. 104 of our members, including three fire safety inspectors, are State certified firefighters. We are extremely proud of the fact that 86 of our employees hold Paramedic certifications and 15 are Emergency Medical Technicians.

In 2004 we opened Station 15, our third fire station, and provided an additional emergency unit and crew. We currently operate four rescue and three fire suppression units, each unit is assigned a crew of three and each unit is capable of providing advanced life support emergency medical care.

Tamarac Fire Rescue was named the 2004 EMS Provider of the Year by the EMS Division of the Florida Department of Health, and we are committed to providing this level of service to our Community.

Our Fire Prevention Bureau provides a variety of services. We consult with developers and contractors to ensure code compliance for new projects being built in the City. We are involved throughout the planning and construction process, as well as conducting periodic inspections throughout the year, to ensure continued code compliance and safety for our Community. Our Community education programs are coordinated by a Community Education Preparedness Specialist and are conducted by firefighters and others.

Tamarac participates in the Broward County Mutual Aid Program, which enables us to draw on emergency resources throughout the County when a major incident occurs or when our personnel are committed to multiple incidents involving all of our units. We also participate in the Statewide Emergency Response Plan which allows us to obtain resources from around the State in a large disaster, such as a hurricane. Under the terms of this Agreement, members from Tamarac can be called to provide services throughout the State and have been assigned to assist with large wildland fires and hurricanes; we also maintain Automatic Aid Agreements with North Lauderdale, Lauderhill, and Lauderdale Lakes.

At our newest Fire Station we maintain and operate the City’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during major incidents.  At the EOC all of the City Departments come together to coordinate efforts during the period immediately before and following a hurricane.  The EOC maintains contact with County and State officials to ensure that Tamarac’s needs are known and resources are obtained.  The City coordinates the efforts of all employees and volunteers to provide essential services to those most in need and to restore regular services as soon as possible.  I encourage all members of our community to prepare a personal emergency plan and work together within each neighborhood to establish a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program.  CERT training is available through TFR and is one of the most effective programs to help you understand emergency response and prepare for a disaster. 

I am proud to represent the men and women of Tamarac Fire Rescue in service to our Community. If you have any questions or comments please contact me at (954) 597-3800.

Thank You,

Chief Jim Budzinski