Gilchrist County Fire Rescue

08/27/2026

✅ TRAFFIC UPDATE – ROADS ARE OPEN

🚨 TRAFFIC ALERT – ROADWAY CLOSED 🚨

Gilchrist County Fire Rescue is currently responding to a vehicle accident with injuries in the area of US 129 and County Road 340.

⚠️ The roadway is currently shut down. Motorists are asked to avoid the area and use an alternate route while emergency crews work the scene.

Please slow down, remain alert, and give first responders plenty of room to work safely.

We will provide additional information as it becomes available.

08/27/2026

🌊 Make Water Safety Your Priority This Summer! 🏖️

Whether you're swimming at a spring, river, or pool, a fun day on the water starts with safe choices.

Remember to:
🏊 Never swim alone.
👀 Always supervise children—designate a "Water Watcher."
🦺 Wear a properly fitted life jacket when boating or participating in water activities.
🚫 Never dive into water unless you know it's deep enough.
📱 Keep a phone nearby in case of an emergency.

Even experienced swimmers can get into trouble. Staying alert and prepared can save a life.

Let's work together to keep our families safe while enjoying everything summer has to offer.

Stay safe and have fun!

08/19/2026

💧 Summer Safety Starts with Hydration! ☀️

Florida's summer heat can quickly lead to dehydration and heat-related illnesses, especially if you're working or spending time outdoors.

Here are a few simple ways to stay safe:
💦 Drink water frequently—even if you don't feel thirsty.
🧢 Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing and a hat.
🌳 Take breaks in the shade or air conditioning.
⏰ Limit strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day (typically Noon–6:00 PM).

⚠️ Watch for signs of heat exhaustion:
• Heavy sweating
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nausea
• Weakness

If someone becomes confused, stops sweating, loses consciousness, or has a body temperature above 103°F, it may be heat stroke—a life-threatening emergency.

📞 Call 911 immediately and begin cooling the person while help is on the way.
Stay cool, stay hydrated, and enjoy your summer safely!

— Gilchrist County Fire Rescue 🚒

08/17/2026

🔥🌡️ DANGEROUS HEAT CONTINUES TODAY 🌡️🔥

We’re sharing this important heat safety information from Gilchrist County Emergency Management and the National Weather Service Jacksonville.

A Heat Advisory is in effect today, Monday, August 17, from 11 AM – 8 PM, including Gilchrist County.

🌡️ High temperatures: 94°–99°
🥵 Peak heat index: 108°–115°

With heat indices this high, heat-related illness can develop quickly. Please take precautions if you’ll be outside today:

💧 Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
❄️ Spend time in air conditioning whenever possible.
🌳 Take frequent breaks in the shade or indoors.
⏰ Avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day.
👕 Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.
🐾 Keep pets cool and provide plenty of fresh water and shade.
🚗 NEVER leave children, pets, or vulnerable adults inside a parked vehicle.

⚠️ Know the warning signs of heat illness. If someone becomes confused, loses consciousness, or shows signs of heat stroke, call 911 immediately.

Please take today’s heat seriously and check on family members, neighbors, and others who may be especially vulnerable.

Stay hydrated. Stay cool. Stay safe, Gilchrist County! ❤️🚒

08/11/2026

📚✏️ From All of Us at Gilchrist County Fire Rescue...

We want to wish every student, teacher, bus driver, school employee, and parent a safe, fun, and successful school year!

Whether it's your first day of kindergarten or your senior year, remember to:
❤️ Be kind.
🚸 Stay safe.
📖 Work hard.
😊 Have fun learning.

Have an amazing school year, Gilchrist County!

08/06/2026

🚨 COMMUNITY ALERT – PLEASE AVOID THE AREA 🚨

We are sharing this update from the Gilchrist County Sheriff's Office:

UPDATED LOCATION: The investigation has been relocated to the area of SW CR 341 and SW 40th Street.

The Gilchrist County Sheriff's Office is conducting an active investigation in this area. Please avoid the area until further notice to allow first responders and law enforcement to work safely.

UPDATED LOCATION: The location has been relocated to the area of SW CR 341 and SW 40th Street.

The Gilchrist County Sheriff's Office is conducting an active investigation in the area of CR 340 & CR 341. We ask that you avoid the area at this time. We will provide an update as soon as possible. We appreciate your understanding.

08/04/2026

🔥 Grill Smart. Stay Safe. 🍔🌭

Nothing says summer like firing up the grill—but a few simple safety steps can help prevent fires and injuries.

Here are a few grilling safety reminders from Gilchrist County Fire Rescue:

🔥 Grill Outdoors Only
Never use a grill inside your home, garage, porch, or under an overhang. Keep grills at least 10 feet away from your home, deck railings, fences, and anything that can catch fire.

👀 Never Leave Your Grill Unattended
Stay with your grill while it's in use. A fire can start in just seconds.

🧹 Keep It Clean
Grease buildup can easily ignite. Clean your grill regularly to reduce the risk of flare-ups.

🚸 Create a Kid & Pet Safety Zone
Keep children and pets at least 3 feet away from the grill while cooking.

💨 Check for Gas Leaks
Before using a propane grill, inspect the hose for cracks or leaks. If you smell gas, turn off the tank immediately and do not light the grill.

🧯 Be Prepared
Keep a fire extinguisher nearby and know how to use it. For small flare-ups, close the grill lid if it's safe to do so and turn off the burners.

🍖 Cook Safely
Use long-handled grilling tools and never use gasoline or other flammable liquids to start a charcoal grill.

🚒 If a grill fire gets out of control or begins spreading, move to a safe location and call 911 immediately.

Enjoy great food, good company, and a safe grilling season!

Gilchrist County Fire Rescue
Serving Our Community. Protecting What Matters. 🚒🔥

07/29/2026

☀️ Heat Exhaustion vs. Heat Stroke: Know the Difference ☀️

Florida's heat can turn dangerous quickly, especially during the hottest part of the day. Knowing the signs could save a life.

🟡 Heat Exhaustion
This happens when your body gets too hot and loses too much water and salt.

Signs include:
💦 Heavy sweating
😓 Cool, pale, clammy skin
🤢 Nausea or vomiting
💪 Muscle cramps
😵 Weakness or dizziness
🤕 Headache
💓 Fast, weak pulse

What to do:
✅ Move to a cool place
✅ Drink cool water or a sports drink
✅ Loosen clothing
✅ Apply cool, wet cloths or take a cool shower

🔴 Heat Stroke – A Medical Emergency
Heat stroke occurs when the body can no longer cool itself. It can cause permanent injury or even death if not treated immediately.

Signs include:
🌡️ Body temperature of 103°F or higher
🔥 Hot, red, dry, or damp skin
🧠 Confusion, slurred speech, or unusual behavior
❌ Loss of consciousness
🤮 Vomiting
❤️ Strong, rapid pulse
🚨 Seizures

What to do:
📞 Call 911 immediately
❄️ Move the person to a cooler area
🧊 Cool them with wet cloths, cool water, or ice packs on the neck, armpits, and groin
🚫 Do NOT give them anything to drink if they are confused or unconscious

💧 Stay hydrated.
🌳 Take frequent breaks in the shade or air conditioning.
👕 Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.
☀️ Avoid strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day.

Knowing the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke could help save someone's life. Stay cool, stay hydrated, and look out for one another.

07/28/2026

🥵 Extreme Heat Expected Wednesday ☀️

Tomorrow is expected to be even hotter across Gilchrist County.

The National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Heat Watch for Wednesday from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM, with heat index values expected to reach 113°–115° in some areas. Even where the watch is not in effect, heat index values of 108°–112° are expected.

🔥 Take the heat seriously:
💧 Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
🌳 Limit outdoor activities during the afternoon if possible.
❄️ Spend time in air-conditioned buildings whenever you can.
👕 Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.
👵 Check on elderly neighbors, family members, and anyone without reliable air conditioning.
🐶 Make sure pets have plenty of fresh water and shade.
🚗 Never leave children, adults, or pets in a parked vehicle—even for a few minutes.

⚠️ Heat-related illnesses can develop quickly.
If someone becomes confused, loses consciousness, or stops sweating in extreme heat, call 911 immediately. Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency.

⛈️ Looking Ahead: Strong to severe thunderstorms are also possible Wednesday afternoon and evening. Continue to monitor the forecast and have multiple ways to receive weather warnings.

📱 If you are not already signed up, register for Alert Gilchrist to receive official emergency notifications and important local updates.

Stay cool, stay hydrated, and stay weather aware, Gilchrist County! 💙

07/28/2026

🚨 REMINDER: TRAINING EXERCISES TODAY 🚨

Gilchrist County Fire Rescue would like to remind residents that the Gilchrist County Sheriff's Office is conducting Boots on the Ground Training today at Bell Elementary School, Trenton High School, and other locations throughout Gilchrist County.

You may notice:
🚓 Increased law enforcement presence
🚑 Emergency vehicles
👮 Training activities in the area

Please remember: This is only a training exercise, and there is no threat to the public.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as our local first responders continue training to enhance their skills and preparedness. Training like this helps ensure we're ready to respond when our community needs us most.

We appreciate your support of all our public safety partners.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Please be advised that the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office will be conducting Boots on the Ground Training throughout this week.

Training activities will take place at Bell Elementary School and Trenton High School, as well as in other areas throughout Gilchrist County. Residents may notice an increased law enforcement presence, emergency vehicles, and training exercises during this time.

This is only a training exercise, and there is no threat to the public.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as our deputies continue to train and prepare to better serve and protect our community.

Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office

Sheriff Bobby Schultz
ONE TEAM ONE MISSION