Key Largo Fire Rescue & Emergency Medical Services District

08/17/2026

Thank you, Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins

Key Largo Fire Rescue & EMS District was glad to be among those in attendance at a recent event where Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins was present.

We want to thank the Lieutenant Governor for taking the time to speak with our Station 25 crew and Fire Chief Jeff Morse. Conversations like these mean a lot to the men and women who serve this community every day.

Thank you for your continued support of Florida’s fire service and first responders.

08/17/2026

⚠️ HEAT ADVISORY: STAY SAFE, KEY LARGO ⚠️

High heat and humidity are in the forecast. The heat index can run well above the actual temperature, and that is what your body feels.

Stay ahead of it:

Drink water throughout the day, before you feel thirsty. Skip alcohol and heavy caffeine.

Move outdoor work and exercise to early morning or evening.

Take frequent breaks in air conditioning or deep shade.

Wear lightweight, light colored, loose fitting clothing.

NEVER leave children or pets in a parked vehicle.

Check on your neighbors. Older adults, young children, people with chronic medical conditions, and anyone working outdoors are at the highest risk.

Know the difference:
Heat exhaustion means heavy sweating, cool clammy skin, weakness, nausea, or dizziness. Get the person somewhere cool, loosen clothing, apply cool wet cloths, and give small sips of water.

Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Hot red skin, confusion, slurred speech, or loss of consciousness means call 911 immediately and start cooling the person while you wait.

Our crews are on duty and ready. Please do your part to stay out of trouble in the first place.

08/16/2026

🚧 **TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Triathlon Today at John Pennekamp** 🚧

A triathlon is taking place today at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.

Drivers should expect **one lane closed on the northbound side of US-1**, from the Pennekamp entrance to the 106 mile marker.

Please slow down, stay alert, and watch for athletes, cyclists, and event personnel along the roadway. Allow extra travel time if you are heading north through the area.

Thank you for helping us keep everyone safe out there.

08/11/2026

🎒🚍 BACK TO SCHOOL IS HERE! 🚍🎒

The backpacks are packed, the alarm clocks are set, and the first day of school is Thursday August 13th! 📚✏️

As our kids head back to the classroom, Key Largo Fire Rescue wants everyone to remember one important thing:

🛑 SLOW DOWN. PAY ATTENTION. GET THERE SAFELY. 🛑

Whether you're driving to school, walking, biking, or waiting for the bus, a few extra seconds can make a BIG difference.

🚍 SCHOOL BUS

🟡 Slow down when you see a school bus.

🛑 Stop when the bus is stopped with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended.

👀 Watch carefully for children entering or exiting the bus.

🚗 DROP-OFF & PICK-UP

📵 Put the phone down and keep your eyes on the road.

🐢 Slow down in school zones and parking areas.

👧🧒 Watch for children who may suddenly step into the
roadway.

🚲 BIKE & PEDESTRIAN SAFETY

⛑️ Helmets save lives—wear one every ride.

🚶 Use crosswalks whenever possible.

👀 Make eye contact with drivers before crossing.

💡 Be especially visible during early-morning or evening activities.
🌴 AND HERE IN THE FLORIDA KEYS...

We know our roads can be busy, our shoulders can be narrow, and our communities are connected by one main highway. That means patience and extra attention are especially important.

Let's all do our part to make sure our students, teachers, parents, and everyone traveling our roads gets where they're going safely.
🎒 New school year. New adventures. Same goal: EVERYONE GETS HOME SAFE.

From all of us at Key Largo Fire Rescue -

❤️ Have a safe and successful school year, Upper Keys!

For more back-to-school safety information, visit the National

Safety Council: National Safety Council – Back to School Safety

08/10/2026

07/28/2026

🦞 LOBSTER MINI SEASON IS HERE! 🦞

The 2026 spiny lobster sport season runs Wednesday, July 29 through Thursday, July 30, and our waters are about to get BUSY. Key Largo Fire Rescue & EMS wants everyone to come home safe with their catch.

⚓ ON THE WATER:

• Fly your dive flag and stay within 300 feet of it

• Boaters: IDLE SPEED within 300 feet of any dive flag

• Designate a sober captain. Never drink and boat

• Keep a lookout posted at all times when divers are down

• Check your safety gear before you launch: life jackets, fire extinguisher, VHF radio, first aid kit

🤿 IN THE WATER:

• Never dive alone. Use the buddy system

• Know your limits. Currents, fatigue, and shallow water blackout are real dangers

• No night diving in Monroe County during mini season

• No snorkeling or diving within 300 feet of residential or commercial shorelines, including canals and marinas

📏 KNOW THE RULES:

• Bag limit in Monroe County: 6 lobsters per person, per day

• Carapace must be larger than 3 inches, measured IN the water

• Egg-bearing females go back, no exceptions
• Saltwater fishing license + spiny lobster permit required

• John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and sanctuary no-take zones are OFF LIMITS

Our crews will be ready to respond, but we would rather see you at the dock with a full cooler than in the back of our ambulance. Watch out for each other out there.

Have an emergency on the water? Call 911 immediately.

Stay safe, Key Largo! 🚒🚑

07/24/2026

Crews today participated in a community clean up hosted by MCSO - Florida Keys at the 98MM bayside. Thank you to those who participated!

07/21/2026

We would like to extend a huge Thank You to "Stucco Steve" for being kind enough to repair the entryway to Station 24. They offered their services to our Department Free of Charge and we greatly appreciate their kindness and excellent work. Job well done!

07/20/2026

🤿 **Safety Message from Key Largo Fire Rescue & EMS District** 🚤

It's peak snorkeling season in the Keys, and our crews want everyone heading out on the water to come home safe. This week's focus: snorkelers and boat propellers sharing the same water.

**For snorkelers:**

🚩 Always fly a dive flag and stay within 100 feet of it. It's not just smart, it's Florida law.

👀 Look and listen before surfacing. Come up slowly with a hand overhead.

👥 Never snorkel alone, and stay with your group.
🌊 Avoid channels and high-traffic areas. Stick to marked snorkel zones like the reefs at Pennekamp.

**For boaters:**

⚠️ Stay at least 100 feet from any dive flag in open water (300 feet in open water per state law for divers-down flags, 100 feet in channels), and slow to idle speed if you must pass nearby.

🔑 Turn your engine OFF, not just in neutral, whenever swimmers are entering or exiting the water near your vessel.

🕶️ Assign a spotter when operating near reefs and sandbars. Snorkelers are hard to see in chop and glare.

🍺 Save the drinks for the dock. Impaired boating puts everyone in the water at risk.

Propeller strikes are devastating and almost always preventable. A few seconds of caution protects a lifetime.

If you see an emergency on the water, call 911 immediately.

Stay safe out there, Key Largo!

07/05/2026

🎆 Huge thanks to everyone who came out to our Open House on July 4th! 🚒

The turnout was incredible, and it was such a pleasure to welcome our community into the station, show off the apparatus, and connect with the families and neighbors we’re proud to serve every day. From the kids climbing into the trucks to the great conversations with residents, this is exactly why we do what we do.

A big thank you to our crews who made this event possible and to everyone in Key Largo who came out to celebrate with us. Moments like this remind us how strong this community is.

Happy Independence Day from all of us at Key Largo Fire Rescue & EMS! 🇺🇸