What is the difference between Hillsborough County Fire Fighters and Hillsborough County Fire Rescue?
Hillsborough County Fire Fighters is the labor organization that represents the employees who work for Hillsborough County Fire Rescue. Hillsborough County Fire Rescue is the county agency that is responsible for fighting fires and providing emergency medical services for the unincorporated areas of the county. Learn more
Does the fire department service fire extinguishers?
No, Hillsborough County Fire Fighters and Hillsborough County Fire Rescue does not service fire extinguishers. There are private fire safety companies that offer those services.
Where can I purchase a fire extinguisher?
Portable fire extinguishers can be purchased at a wide variety of retail stores. Home improvement centers, hardware stores, and fire safety equipment stores carry an adequate selection to choose from.
Can I call the Fire Department to dispose of household hazardous materials?
No, Hillsborough County Fire Fighters and Hillsborough County Fire Rescue does not accept household hazardous materials. The appropriate way to dispose of household hazardous materials can be found at this Website.
Will the fire department come to my home and fill my swimming pool?
No, Hillsborough County Fire Fighters and Hillsborough County Fire Rescue is not permitted to fill swimming pools.
Why does a fire engine come when I only requested an ambulance?
A fire engine will sometimes arrive at an incident first because it is the closest emergency unit to the scene and Hillsborough County Fire Rescue is committed to getting help to your location as fast as possible. The County has 44 fire stations spaced strategically placed around the County. All fire engines are licensed as non-transporting ALS units. Our units respond to all medical calls involving life-threatening symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, chest pains, and severe bleeding. The crew members initiate treatment to stabilize patients and prepare them for transport to the nearest hospital facility.
I saw a Hillsborough County Fire Rescue apparatus at a local grocery store and some of the firefighters were inside shopping for food. Why do firefighters use fire trucks for non-emergency purposes while they are on duty?Toggle Title
To ensure the most effective service at the time of an emergency, our crews must remain in their designated response territory with their fire apparatus during their entire shift. Our crews work 24-hour shifts with no scheduled breaks, and meals are not provided by the County. All personnel on each shift must purchase their own food and prepare their own meals, so they may make a daily trip to the grocery store within their first due neighborhood to buy whatever they need to prepare their meals for the entire 24-hour shift.
Hillsborough County Fire Rescue crews do not have to be sitting in the fire station to be dispatched to a call. Since all Hillsborough County Fire Rescue units maintain constant radio contact with Emergency Dispatch Communications and the entire crew must always be together with their truck, they are always ready to respond to any emergency, regardless of their current location or non-emergency assignment. Very often, our firefighters and paramedics spend long periods of their day running calls, without returning to the station or stopping to eat, and they frequently have to return to the grocery store several times to finish purchasing food that they might not get a chance to cook during the shift.
Is it legal to burn trash and limbs in Hillsborough County?
No. Open burning of trash, tree trimmings or any other item is illegal in Hillsborough County and may carry a significant fine dependent upon the materials being burned. Residents can apply for an open burning permit by calling 813-744-5541 or going to the following link.
Where can I go to have my child safety seat inspected or installed?
You can visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Child Safety Seat Inspection Station Locator website to find a location near you. Hillsborough County Fire Fighters and Hillsborough County Fire Rescue does not offer child safety seat installation and inspection program.
How can I ask a question about Hillsborough County Fire Rescue?
If you have a question in regards to your fire or emergency medical safety, smoke detectors, open burning or anything else that we may be able to assist you with, you are encouraged to call 813-272-6600.
What are the current 2020 Hillsborough County Fire Rescue call totals?
91,800