Fernandina Beach Fire Department

08/31/2026

⚠️MONITORING A DISTURBANCE: The US National Weather Service Jacksonville Florida is monitoring the forecast for the remnants of Tropical Storm Dolly as the system tracks toward the the Bahamas and south Florida mid week.
🔶LOCAL IMPACT CONCERNS:
▪️Increased rip current risk Wed-Fri
▪️Increased rain coverage Thur-Fri
▪️Localized flood risk Fri
More info can be found at NOAA NWS National Hurricane Center or at: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
Stay informed and stay safe, Nassau!

08/27/2026

Tomorrow, Friday, August 28th, Ash Street will undergo paving as the stormwater improvement project wraps up. There will be no parking allowed on Ash Street Friday to allow for the work to be completed. Intermittent road closures, 2 blocks at a time, are expected. Please use caution will driving in this area and follow flaggers and directional signs.

08/13/2026

Yesterday, our crews responded to a commercial smoke investigation. Upon arrival, firefighters quickly located the source and determined that a small amount of wood chips were smoldering in an isolated area on an elevated catwalk.

Our crews immediately went to work, supplying water to the affected area and carefully suppressing the smoldering wood chips. Through their quick response and teamwork, the incident was brought under control without further escalation.

We are incredibly proud of the professionalism and dedication our firefighters demonstrate on every call. Incidents like this are a great reminder of the importance of remaining vigilant, working safely, and having well-trained crews prepared to respond when called upon.

Whether responding to a major emergency or investigating what may initially appear to be a minor incident, our firefighters approach every call with the same level of commitment and professionalism. Their dedication, teamwork, and service to our community do not go unnoticed.

Thank you to our crews for the hard work you put in every day to keep our community safe. We are proud to have you serving our community!

08/01/2026

Congratulations to Engineer Nate Swanda on being featured in an interview with Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment!

We're proud to see one of our own recognized for his dedication to the fire service. Be sure to check out the article to learn more about Engineer Swanda's experience and passion for serving our community.

Meet Nathanael Swanda, a dedicated 23-year-old Engineer/Paramedic with the Fernandina Beach (FL) Fire Department 🚒. His role as an apparatus chauffeur is vital for keeping the team ready to respond at a moment’s notice: https://ow.ly/uCnZ50ZuNGz

07/31/2026

Last week, the Fernandina Beach Fire Department had the pleasure of welcoming the City Manager's Citizens' Academy to one of our fire stations for an inside look at the people, equipment, and training that help keep our community safe.

Chief Holmes kicked off the visit with an overview of our department, highlighting the many critical roles our firefighters and staff perform everyday.

Participants then had the opportunity to experience several live demonstrations showcasing the skills and equipment our crews rely on during emergencies. These included forcible door entry, the use of thermal imaging technology, and a mock cardiac arrest scenario that provided insight into how our personnel work together to deliver lifesaving care.

We were also honored to be joined by LifeFlight, whose crew flew in their helicopter and gave attendees a closer look at the aircraft, its capabilities, and the vital role it plays in providing rapid critical care and transport throughout our region.

Thank you to everyone who attended and invested the time to learn more about our fire department. Community engagement is an important part of our mission, and we appreciate the opportunity to share what we do and why we do it.

07/19/2026

07/10/2026

There has been a traffic accident near the intersection of Old Amelia Avenue and S 8th Street. Motorists are advised to use caution when traveling near the area and expect traffic delays while crews respond.

Please consider using alternate routes if possible.

07/08/2026

⚠️ Ride Smart & Ride Safe. 🚲

We encourage everyone to take a few moments to review the Fernandina Beach Police Department's post and learn how the newly adopted E-bike ordinance applies to you and your family.

Whether you're riding an e-bike, scooter, bicycle, or other personal mobility device, safety starts with every rider making responsible choices.
Here are a few simple reminders that can help prevent serious injuries:

🚴 Wear a properly fitted helmet every ride.
🚦 Obey all traffic signs and signals.
👀 Stay alert and avoid distractions like phones or headphones.
🚶 Slow down around pedestrians and always yield on sidewalks and shared-use paths.
💡 Be visible by using lights and reflective gear when riding at dawn, dusk, or at night.
⚡ Ride at safe speeds and remember that higher speeds mean longer stopping distances and a greater risk of serious injury.

The new ordinance was created to help keep everyone—riders, pedestrians, and motorists—safe while sharing our roads, sidewalks, and public spaces.

Together, through education, awareness, and responsible riding, we can help prevent accidents before they happen.

Stay safe, Fernandina Beach! 🚒❤️🚲

07/07/2026

Today was a special day for the Fernandina Beach Fire Department as we gathered to recognize the hard work and dedication of several outstanding members during our Promotion and Pinning Ceremony.

Please join us in congratulating:

Battalion Chief Rodney Morris
Combat Lieutenant Michael Dowie
Engineer Joseph Lancaster

Firefighters -
Dylan Branscome
Noah Buchanan
Jake Champagne
Graham Edlund
Harrison Stroud
Jonathan Torres

These promotions represent countless hours of training, sacrifice, and unwavering service to our community. We are proud to recognize each of these individuals as they continue their careers and leadership within our department.

We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the families and loved ones of our promoted personnel. Behind every firefighter is a support system that shares in the sacrifices, celebrates the victories, and provides strength through the challenges. These achievements belong to you as much as they do to those receiving their badges today.

Also, a heartfelt thank you to our City Manager, City Commissioners, and other city officials, who joined us to celebrate this special occasion.

Congratulations to all those promoted! We look forward to seeing the positive impact you'll continue to make while serving the citizens and visitors of Fernandina Beach.

07/04/2026

🇺🇸 Happy Independence Day from the Fernandina Beach Fire Department! 🇺🇸

Today, we celebrate 250 years of American independence! We hope you enjoy a wonderful Fourth of July with family, friends, and our amazing community.

As you celebrate, please remember to keep fire safety in mind. Below is a safety message from our FBFD Fire Marshal:

While the recent lifting of the burn ban is certainly welcomed news, it does not eliminate the fire risks that are associated with fireworks. For the Fourth of July holiday, we encourage everyone to celebrate responsibly and keep fire safety at the forefront of their plans.

The safest way to enjoy fireworks is by attending a professionally conducted public display. If residents choose to use consumer fireworks where permitted by Florida law, they should carefully follow all manufacturer instructions, keep a water source readily available, maintain a safe distance from structures, vehicles, and vegetation, and never allow young children to handle or ignite fireworks.

We also remind residents that sparklers can reach temperatures of approximately 2,000 degrees and can cause serious burns. Used fireworks should be soaked thoroughly in water before disposal, and fireworks should never be relit if they fail to ignite properly.

Although recent rainfall has improved conditions, dry vegetation can still be present in localized areas. We ask everyone to be mindful of their surroundings and take the necessary precautions to prevent accidental fires.

The Fernandina Beach Fire Department wishes everyone a safe and enjoyable Independence Day. By exercising caution and good judgment, we can all help ensure the holiday is remembered for the celebration, not an emergency.

Happy 4th of July! 🇺🇸🎇

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