Inverness Fire Department

05/12/2026

𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭 𝟏𝟐 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

Driver Engineer Michael Robinson of the City of Inverness Fire Department has been honored with the Congressional District 12 First Responder of the Year recognition, an award presented by Congressman Gus Bilirakis on May 11, 2026.

This recognition carries special distinction, as remarks honoring award recipients are entered into the Congressional Record by Congressman Bilirakis, permanently preserving their service and contributions in the official record of the United States Congress.

This recognition is given annually to one nominee from each agency within the Congressman's district. Mike was selected by the Inverness Fire Department for his strong work ethic, professionalism, and leadership qualities that define the highest standards of the fire service.

Since joining the department, Mike has distinguished himself through his commitment to excellence, continuous learning, and ability to adapt to modern technologies and evolving tactics. He has repeatedly stepped up to serve as an acting officer when needed, demonstrating reliability and composure under pressure. A team-oriented professional, Mike actively mentors fellow firefighters and ensures no task goes overlooked, making him a dependable cornerstone of the crew and a role model to all.

04/17/2026

INVERNESS, FL – April 17, 2026 – An explosion at Storm Distillery in Inverness on Friday morning led to a structure fire and left three people injured, prompting a multi-agency emergency response and the temporary closure of the downtown square for several hours.

The Inverness Fire Department, Citrus County Fire Rescue, and the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office responded following reports of an explosion and active fire at the distillery. Crews worked to control the situation and secure the surrounding area.

Three individuals sustained injuries in the incident. The extent of their injuries is currently unknown.

The Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office is leading the investigation into the cause of the explosion and fire.

No additional details are available at this time, as the investigation remains ongoing.



https://inverness.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/1692

04/01/2026

🔥𝐁𝐔𝐑𝐍 𝐁𝐀𝐍 𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐔𝐄𝐃 🔥

In coordination with our partners at the Citrus County Fire Rescue, and the Florida Division of Forestry, the City of Inverness Fire Department has issued a citywide Burn Ban effective Wednesday, April 1st, 2026. Pursuant to Chapter 9 of the Code of Ordinances, Fire Prevention and Protection, Section 10.

The decision to implement a burn ban is supported by the National Weather Service and Florida Forest Service data indicating a high fire danger due to high temperatures, humidity factors, and dry surface conditions, all of which significantly increase the risk of wildfires.

All outdoor burning is prohibited, including:
➡️ Campfires & Bonfires
➡️ Unpermitted controlled burns (permit required from Florida Forest Service)
➡️ Burning of yard waste or household trash, burning of construction debris, Burning of organic or commercial debris
➡️ Any open outdoor fire (including any fire not explicitly permitted)
➡️ Igniting fireworks or any explosive devices (as defined by Chapter 791.01, Florida Statutes)

Use caution when parking vehicles with catalytic converters in high grassy areas and avoid improper disposal of ci******es or matches (must use designated receptacles).

Outdoor cooking using gas, electric, or charcoal grills is allowed, but residents should use caution and ensure coals are fully extinguished. Barrel-style smokers are also permitted. Please avoid cooking near dry or wooded areas.

This ban will remain in effect until lifted by the City of Inverness. Conditions will be reassessed based on the Keetch Byram Drought Index (KBDI) and fire risk.

03/23/2026

Big progress is continuing on the Inverness Fire Department’s new ladder truck.

IFD staff were recently onsite at the E-ONE Fire Trucks (Official Site) factory in Ocala to inspect the construction progress of Ladder 2. The truck is now in the final assembly stage, with an estimated 3 weeks remaining until completion.

Included is a video where you’ll see the Ladder 2 chassis being moved into place for the final cab installation, an exciting milestone as this critical apparatus comes closer to serving our community.

This new ladder truck is being funded in part through a $715,000 federal award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Community Facilities Program, with the City providing the required match to complete the purchase. Once delivered, Ladder 2 will provide essential firefighting and rescue capabilities for multi-story buildings and higher-risk structures throughout Inverness and our neighboring partner agencies.

We look forward to sharing more updates as Ladder 2 nears completion.

03/23/2026

03/12/2026

03/10/2026

🔥 𝙄𝙣𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝘽𝙪𝙧𝙣 𝘽𝙖𝙣 𝙇𝙞𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙙 🔥

The City of Inverness Fire Department has rescinded the citywide burn ban previously issued on November 17th, 2025. The ban is rescinded, effective immediately on Tuesday, March 10th, 2026 for all residents within city limits.

While the burn ban order has been lifted, the Inverness Fire Department reminds all residents to remain vigilant and always take necessary precautions to prevent fires. Please continue to practice fire safety.

To view city limit boundaries, please visit: https://www.inverness-fl.gov/661/GIS-Land-Use-and-Zoning-Map

01/20/2026

🚨 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐁𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 🚨

Even with recent rainfall, fire conditions across Citrus County remain high, and the City of Inverness Burn Ban is still in effect.
Burn ban decisions are based on data from the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) provided by the Florida Forest Service. The KBDI is a continuous scale used to measure the dryness of soil and vegetation, ranging from 0 (no moisture deficit) to 800 (extreme fire conditions).

➡️ Any value over 500 indicates a high risk for wildfire occurrence and spread.

📊 Current KBDI for Citrus County: 596

Conditions will continue to be monitored, and the burn ban will remain in place until officially lifted by the City of Inverness Fire Department.

🔗 Helpful Resources:
• What is KBDI?
https://www.fdacs.gov/.../Keetch-Byram-Drought-Index-KBDI
• Daily KBDI Report:
https://weather.fdacs.gov/KBDI/current-report.html

01/20/2026

Are you ready to make a difference in our community? The Inverness Fire Department is seeking dedicated individuals to serve as Volunteer Firefighters.

Volunteers are an essential part of the department’s operations and help support emergency response, fire suppression, training activities, and community safety initiatives. The department provides required training and works to ensure volunteer members are prepared, supported, and equipped to serve the Inverness community.

Minimum requirements include a high school diploma or GED, a valid Florida driver’s license, and the ability to complete required training and screening.

Learn more and apply at www.inverness.gov/58/employment or call (352) 726-2611 ext. 1001.