Welcome, this is an unofficial website started (in 2005) for your enjoyment, about the Ponce Inlet Fire-Rescue Department. We are located on the east coast of central Florida about 10 miles south of Daytona Beach. Our fire-rescue department serves a beautiful, small community of about 2,800 year round residents. This number can grow to tens of thousands with the overflow from Bike week, Biketoberfest, Race week, and Spring break events in the area. Our community also varies depending on the time of year with the arrival of "snowbirds". In 2006, Ponce Inlet Fire-Rescue logged 569 calls for service in our daily logbook. As with most fire departments, the majority of our calls for service are medical emergencies in nature. Our calls for service can include a wide range of service. The members of Ponce Inlet Fire-Rescue can respond and treat general medical calls, trauma calls, including motor vehicle accidents. Ponce Inlet’s first run emergency vehicle are all advance life support equipped. Each shift has three personel. At least one is a state certified Paramedic,sometimes two,also a state certified EMT (Emergency Medical Technician)is on duty to assist them.All three shifts Firefighters-EMTs are also state certified Driver/Engineers.They drive the crews safely and quickly to the scene of an emergency and if need be operate the pump on fire scenes. Ponce Inlet Fire-Rescue also has the capabilities of extricating entraped patients out of vehicles. Ponce Inlet is surrounded on three sides by water, with the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the Intracoastal Waterway (known locally as the Halifax River) to the west, and the inlet with the jetties to the south; we get several water related rescue calls. The inlet claims its victims almost yearly as it has for hundreds of years thru drownings, personal watercraft accidents, commercial fishing accidents and ship/boat wrecks. Due to our high call volume for water related incidents, the Fire Rescue department as sent several of its members through the Swift Water Rescue training, or Ocean Lifeguard training course. Due to the number of water rescue calls, we have a nearby United States Coast Guard station nearby to respond to the incidents and transport the fire rescue team out to the location if it occurred on a boat, or a location inaccessible by land. The Volusia County Sheriffs Department provides air evacuation of critical patients with "Air One" a "Bell Jet Ranger" type helicopter. It is crewed by a pilot and a flight medic/observer. Ponce-Inlet Fire Rescue entered into a mutual aid agreement with three other local communities to respond to calls for service when needed. Due to this agreement our fire related service calls have increased considerably. Even though Ponce Inlet is a small community we have had several of OUR OWN fire service calls. Since this is Florida, we are called on occasion to assist the elderly and infirm when they have fallen and need assistance getting back in their chair or bed. We gladly lend a helping hand to those in need when called. Being a small town, we frequently have walk-in patients at the station. Also, many of the folks contact us by phone, because they "don’t want to be a bother by calling 911" and ask us if we can stop by. We always suggest they first call 911 right away in the future!! MARINE 78 IN SERVICE !!!!!!!!!! This past summer(2006) a town resident donated a 1996, 14 ft Jet boat. He was kind enough to have it tuned up prior to giving it to us, it has minimal hours on it.We have done some minor additions to the boat.Also we have equipped it with rescue equipment such as a longboard for spinal injuries and some other BLS medical supplies. Throw bags and other swiftwater rescue items have been kitted and placed in the boat.  It has already been dispatched within the first two months of being placed into service and is entered into the RCC CADD dispatch system.   Special Note: During the dry season(winter-spring) please use caution with all forms of fire. Remember it only takes one match to destroy a forest. Also be aware where you park your vehicle. The hot exhaust system can catch tall grass on fire.We haven't had much rain lately so be careful.	01/19/07 NEW THERMAL CAMERA ARRIVES ! The department has just received its first Thermal Imaging camera in department history an MSA 5200. Seen in the photo above, the camera can allow firefighters to quickly search for fire victims in smoke filled environments. The human body stands out from the surroundings,glowing white.    Without this important tool it would take much longer to locate a person while crawling along the floor feeling around for them. With this new tool the blinding black smoke can be penetrated. Our positions are classified as: Lieutenant: Is the shift leader,is a Firefighter-Paramedic or Firefighter-EMT,provides advanced medical care,performs fire suppression,and has numerous staff duties. Driver/Engineer: Drives emergency vehicles,operates pumps to supply water at fire scenes,assists with medical care and fire suppression,maintains vehicles and equipment,is usually a Firefighter-EMT,fills in for the lieutenant and has some staff duties. Firefighter: Is a Firefighter-EMT or Firefighter-Paramedic, provides medical care and fire suppression,fills in for the Driver and has some staff duties. OUR ADMIN. STAFF: Chief Scales has 20 plus years of EMS and Fire experience and is the former head of the Paramedic program at Daytona Beach Community College. He started with Ponce Inlet Fire-Rescue as a Firefighter/Paramedic,later was promoted to Fire Captain and then promoted again in 2005 to the rank of Fire Chief. "Jeff" our Fire Marshal is new to Ponce Inlet.He works part-time for us. He has brought over 20 yrs of experience to the department. His prevention efforts will continue the fine work of our prior Fire Marshals. WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST EMPLOYEE: "Jeni" helps as a Full-time administrative assistant. Jeni formerly worked with a local chamber of commerce and has degrees in both graphic design and medical areas. She has blended right into the mix helping Chief Scales and Fire Marshall Jeff with  office paper work and keeps the department running smooth and on track. ****This site is dedicated to our volunteer and career members who have passed away or have moved on to other pursuits. Their past efforts have helped lead the department along the path to excellence****
Calls permiting,members are encouraged to workout at a gym in one of the highrise condos,which line part of the beach. Or for a more scenic workout,we climb the 173 foot Ponce Inlet Lighthouse(1887) which is a National Historic Landmark. It helps to do it frequently since sometimes a patient may be up on the top observation deck...and you have to lug all that gear up with you....and maybe the patient back down.
Official town website w/lighthouse link Webmaster email Inlet Harbor Restaurant Pierce fire apparatus E-One fire apparatus Muscular Dystrophy	I.A.F.F. Local 4140 T-shirts, short sleeve and tanktops $15,long sleeve $20. available colors/sizes will vary(Blue,Black,Grey,Olive Drab)$5 S&H.
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY INSTRUCTORS PROVIDED PONCE INLET(8),PORT ORANGE(2), EDGEWATER(4) VOLUSIA COUNTY(1) AND FORESTRY(1) FIREFIGHTERS WITH INSTRUCTION IN WILDLAND FIREFIGHTING TECHNIQUES LAST WEEK.  THREE DAYS OF CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION WAS PROVIDED,BEGINNING AUGUST 20TH 2007. THAT WAS FOLLOWED BY A CONTROLLED BURN IN THE TIGER BAY WILDLIFE AREA,WEST OF DAYTONA BEACH THURSDAY AND THEN TESTING ON THE 5TH AND LAST DAY.
STUDENTS AND FORESTRY INSTRUCTOR MONITOR BURN IN TIGER BAY WILDLIFE AREA WEST OF DAYTONA BEACH AUGUST 24,2007	YOUR WEBMASTER: FOR QUICKER RESPONSE ON T-SHIRTS OR COMMENTS EMAIL DIRECTLY TO thecprguy@aol.com