Marine Unit

The Fire Department's original Marine Unit was developed in 1989 with the purchase of a 30’ Munson fire boat. The firefighting vessel was decommissioned in 2001 due to maintenance issues.  

With the City Commission's vision to activate the local waterway to serve as a community asset, the city currently operates a 2024 26’ Lake Assault Landing Craft/firefighting vessel which patrols the Halifax River, providing assistance to boaters in addition to fire and medical services.

All team members undergo specialized training, including earning a Florida Safe Boater card and finishing a department-led 40-hour program with annual competency evaluations.

The acquisition was funded through a combination of American Rescue Plan Act dollars allocated by several members of the City Commission (Stacy Cantu $250,000, Quanita May $50,000, Ruth Trager/Monica Paris $10,000) and a $75,000 grant from the Florida Inland Navigation District, marking a significant investment in public safety and marine readiness.