Yulee Volunteer Fire Department

04/27/2026

TOWN OF HILLIARD, FLORIDA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗲-𝗼𝗳-𝗗𝘂𝘁𝘆 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁

Funeral Arrangements Announced for Firefighter Crews
Hilliard, FL — April 27, 2026 — The Hilliard Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) announces the visitation and funeral arrangements for Firefighter Kevin Crews, who passed away in the line of duty on April 23, 2026.

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at the Nassau Funeral Home, 541720 US-1, Callahan, FL 32011.

𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:
Funeral services will take place on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at West Church located at 550974 US-1, Hilliard, FL 32046.

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:
Prior to the service, a funeral procession will begin at the Nassau Funeral Home at 8:30 a.m. The route will travel north on US-1, turn left onto CR 108, then proceed left onto Pecan Street, past Fire Station 4, left onto W. 1st Street, and right onto US-1, concluding at West Church.

Community members are encouraged to join in honoring Firefighter Crews by safely lining the procession route. See attached map.

𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿 𝗚𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀:
Agency Honor Guard Units and Dignitaries are welcome to attend. To coordinate, please contact Nassau County Fire Rescue (NCFR), Battalion Chief Jeff Dodd at 904-710-2979.

𝗟𝗮𝘄 𝗘𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:
For coordination, please contact Sgt. Brandy Turman at 904-583-0411.

𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁:
To allow Hilliard VFD Chief Jerry Johnson time to focus on the Crews’ family and support Station 4 personnel, NCFR Chief Brady Rigdon will serve as their point of contact until further notice. Chief Rigdon can be reached by e-mail at [email protected] or at 904-753-1627.

02/06/2026

Another year has come and gone, and we still remember the sacrifice made by Trooper Charles Parks, on this day, 53 years ago.

For those that don’t know the story, Trooper Parks was shot and killed on I-95 in Yulee, on Tuesday February 6th, 1973. He was trying to apprehend two men who had just robbed a bank in Camden County Georgia.

At the time of his death, Trooper Parks was also a member here, at the Yulee Volunteer Fire Department. The legendary Mr. Elvin Boles, who was Chief of YVFD at the time, was one of the first to the scene, but he was not able to be resuscitated. 

Trooper Parks left behind a wife and two daughters. He had served with the Florida Highway Patrol for 6 years.

A section of I-95 in Nassau County near the Florida Welcome Center was dedicated in his memory. 

07/21/2025

Word just reached us about former YVFD and NCFR member, Mrs. Mary Jubito’s passing on July 9th. Mary and her family gave so much of themselves to this community. We extend our
condolences to Mrs. Jubito’s family. Below is a photo we shared a couple of years ago from 1989, featuring Mary Jubito in front.

06/27/2025

On this date 67 years ago (June 26th, 1958), the Yulee Volunteer Fire Department was officially chartered. Though we closed our doors 6 years ago, we are still proud of our 61 years of service to our community. Thank you for allowing us to serve you for 61 years!

03/28/2025

Today we remember Nassauville Volunteer Fire Department Asst. Chief Richard “Keith” Rice, who gave his life in the line of duty 27 years ago today. EOW: 03/28/1998

03/26/2025

ANNOUNCEMENT

In a special meeting of the Yulee Volunteer Firemen’s Association Board of Directors, a decision was made regarding our last remaining piece of firefighting apparatus. Though originally we intended to try to find a fire department somewhere that may be interested, we believe we have found a much more appropriate solution.

The Board of Directors have unanimously voted to transfer ownership of “Engine 3”- our 1989 Ford FMC Fire Engine, to the Community Stewards of Yulee.

Engine 3 served this community well for 30 years. From Fires, Floods, Hurricanes, Tornadoes, and Vehicle Accidents, to countless parades, and of course the well known tradition, our old Santa Route. Engine 3 handled it all.

Chief Lightsey has spoken with representatives of the Community Stewards of Yulee, some of which are former long time members of YVFD, and they have shared that they intend to preserve Engine 3, and use it for various local events, including their Santa Claus route. They have also said that they want the truck to continue to carry the name of the Yulee Volunteer Fire Department on the door.

While slowly divesting ourselves of all of our interests is a sad thing for all of us to do, we are very grateful to the Community Stewards of Yulee for carrying on some of our traditions where we left off, and for preserving some of our history. We hope Engine 3 will continue to serve the Yulee Community for many years to come.

02/07/2025

Yesterday made 52 years since Florida Highway Patrol Trooper/Yulee Volunteer Firefighter Charles Parks made the ultimate sacrifice.

On February 6th, 1973, Trooper Parks was shot and killed while attempting to apprehend two armed robbery suspects on Interstate 95 in Yulee.

Trooper Parks left behind a pregnant wife, and a daughter. He lived in the Yulee community, and had served as a member of the Yulee Volunteer Fire Department up until the time of his death.

We will never forget the sacrifice made by Trooper Parks.

12/22/2024

For those of you who are unaware, the Community Stewards of Yulee have Santa on their parade truck, and are making the rounds through the Wilson Neck community today. We’re told that a few of our former members are with them, so be sure to give ‘em a wave if you see them. We know all too well how much work goes in to making this event possible. So y’all be sure to be patient with the folks making it happen. Thank you Community Stewards of Yulee for what you guys are doing. We appreciate you!

Watch for Santa and Mrs Claus on Beaufort the firetruck Sunday December 22 starting 8 a m on Blackmon Road

Route will be published later tonight

The inaugural route will be Old Yulee route the Yulee Volunteer Fire Department used to do.

We are fortunate to have former members of YVFD riding with us .

FOR OUR KIDS

09/07/2024

The Town of Callahan, as well as the Town of Hilliard are still looking for volunteers to keep the VFD tradition alive in Nassau County! If you are interested, please reach out to them, or us, and we’ll do our best to get you in contact. Keep the tradition alive!!

Come join our organization!

07/24/2024

Congratulations to the students and staff at Yulee High School!

📣📣📣💚💛💚💛💚💛💚📣📣📣