Lake County Firefighters

08/28/2026

Yesterday afternoon, Lake County Fire Rescue crews responded to a residential structure fire in the City of Leesburg. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered a single family home with heavy smoke and fire conditions.

During a secondary search of the home, firefighters from Lake County Ladder 56 located an unresponsive adult inside. Firefighters from Ladder 56 and Engine 59 worked together to quickly remove the homeowner from the structure so care could be provided. Tragically, the homeowner later succumbed to his injuries. Our thoughts and sincere condolences are with his family and loved ones.

This is not an outcome to celebrate. It is, however, a sobering reminder of why adequate staffing and the closest available response matter.

Searching a burning home and removing a victim requires firefighters to operate quickly in an environment where conditions can change in seconds. Every firefighter available on that apparatus makes a difference.

Lake County Fire Rescue operates 28 frontline units, yet only 12 are staffed with three firefighters around the clock. The remaining 16 operate with two. When lives are at stake, staffing cannot be an afterthought.

This incident also reinforces the importance of a comprehensive first response agreement between Lake County and the municipalities within the Lake County fire system. Fire and medical emergencies do not recognize jurisdictional boundaries. The closest appropriate unit should respond to every emergency, regardless of the name on the side of the truck.

We will continue advocating for adequate staffing and a response system that puts the needs of the people we serve first. Yesterday is a painful reminder of why both matter.

Our deepest condolences remain with the homeowner’s family and everyone affected by this loss.

08/26/2026

On August 22, 2026, the Lake County Firefighters Benevolent Association hosted the inaugural Fore Sky — Skyler "Sky" Jackerson Memorial Golf Tournament at Clermont National Golf Course in Clermont, Florida. What started as an idea born from grief became a day filled with community, purpose, and love.

Sky was the son of our brother, Lake County Firefighter Joseph Jackerson. He lived every one of his 18 years with muscular dystrophy and did it with a spirit that inspired everyone around him. This tournament was our way of making sure his legacy lives on — and today, because of all of you, it does.

To our presenting sponsor, Bobby Gato, Florida Farm Bureau Insurance, thank you for believing in this event from the start. Your support made this day possible.

A heartfelt thank you to all of our sponsors:
🏌️ Burning Passion Media
🏌️ Injury LawStars
🏌️ Blue Jasper
🏌️ Bichler & Longo, PLLC
🏌️ Pools By Nolan Jacobs
🏌️ Clermont Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 4350
🏌️ Groveland Professional Firefighters, IAFF Local 5142
🏌️ Hernando County Professional Firefighters, IAFF Local 3760
🏌️ Mike Clelland - First Responder Advocate
🏌️ Orange County Fire Fighters Association, IAFF 2057
🏌️ Professional Firefighters of Leesburg, Local 2957
🏌️ Tavares Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 3245
🏌️ Alecia D Spence, CPA
🏌️ Coldwell Banker Hubbard Hansen
🏌️ Ho***rs of Lake Deaton - The Villages
🏌️ Simon Simaan Group Real Estate

Thank you to everyone who donated a silent auction item, placed a bid, made a donation, and showed up — on and off the course. Thank you to Clermont National Golf Course for hosting us. Thank you to GalaBid for powering our silent auction. And thank you to Premiere Outdoor Movies of Orlando and Tampa, MISSION BBQ, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, City Beverages, Bella Collina, Trek Bicycle Clermont, Tractor Supply Co., Lowe's Home Improvement and Toole's Ace Hardware for your generous donations.

This is only the beginning. Sky would have loved every minute of it.

Honoring his life. Supporting our community.

08/23/2026

Our brothers and sisters with Hernando County Professional Firefighters, IAFF Local 3760 are rallying around one of their own, and we’re asking our Lake County fire family to stand with them.

Firefighter Billy and his wife, Beccah, are facing an unimaginable battle as their little girl, Josie, who isn’t even 2 years old, fights B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

The fire service has always been bigger than department lines or county lines. When one of our own needs help, we show up.

If you’re able, please consider donating or sharing their story. Most importantly, keep Josie, Billy, Beccah, and their entire family in your thoughts and prayers.

Fight hard, Josie. You have a lot of firefighters standing behind you.

Our sweet Josie, who is not even 2 years old, has been diagnosed with B-cell A… Olivia Howlett needs your support for Support Josie’s Fight Against Leukemia

08/22/2026

Thank you to everyone who came out to today’s Fore Sky Memorial Golf Tournament, sponsored by Bobby Gato, Florida Farm Bureau Insurance! We could have not asked for a better day. More photos to come! Make sure to tag us and the Lake County Firefighters Benevolent Association in your photos so we can share them.

08/19/2026

Congratulations to the Professional Firefighters of Ocala IAFF Local 2135, on reaching a tentative agreement that includes the 24/72 schedule.

Their success continues a significant shift happening across our region. In just the past 12 months, seven fire departments within an hour of Lake County have secured the 24/72 schedule for their firefighters.

The fire service is changing, and departments are responding to the challenges of recruiting and retaining firefighters. Safer staffing models, competitive wages and better work schedules all matter when it comes to building and keeping an experienced workforce. Florida recognized the importance of time away from the job with House Bill 929, establishing the 42-hour workweek as a best practice for Florida firefighters.

Congratulations to our brothers and sisters in Ocala. Progress doesn’t happen by sitting back and waiting. It happens when there is a willingness to recognize what needs to change and do something about it.

08/15/2026

We're proud to recognize Bobby Gato, Florida Farm Bureau Insurance as the Presenting Sponsor of the Fore Sky Memorial Golf Tournament!

Led locally by Bobby Gato, Florida Farm Bureau Insurance serves individuals and families throughout Lake County with insurance solutions designed to help protect what matters most. From auto and home to life and other insurance needs, Bobby and his team combine personalized, local service with the resources of a trusted Florida insurance provider.

As our Presenting Sponsor, Florida Farm Bureau Insurance has made an incredible commitment to helping bring Fore Sky to life. Their partnership goes beyond supporting a golf tournament—it represents an investment in our first responder family, our community, and the causes at the heart of this event.

Their generous support helps us honor Skyler Jackerson's legacy and make a meaningful difference for Camp ASCCA and the Lake County Firefighters Benevolent Association.

To connect with Bobby and the Florida Farm Bureau Insurance team:

📍 Tavares Office: 352-343-4407
📍 Clermont Office: 352-242-2694
📧 [email protected]

A very special thank you to Bobby Gato and Florida Farm Bureau Insurance for stepping up as our Presenting Sponsor and helping make the inaugural Fore Sky Memorial Golf Tournament possible!

08/14/2026

We're proud to welcome Coldwell Banker Hubbard Hansen as a sponsor of the Fore Sky Memorial Golf Tournament!

For more than 65 years, Coldwell Banker Hubbard Hansen has proudly served Clermont, South Lake County, and the surrounding Central Florida communities. Backed by a team of experienced residential, commercial, luxury, and land specialists, they've built their reputation on trust, integrity, and helping families and businesses find the perfect place to call home. Their commitment to exceptional service continues to make them a trusted name in local real estate.

Their support helps us honor Skyler's legacy and make a real difference for Camp ASCCA and the Lake County Firefighters Benevolent Association .

Whether you're buying, selling, investing, or searching for your dream home, start by visiting the offices of Coldwell Banker Hubbard Hansen.

Thank you, Coldwell Banker Hubbard Hansen!

Hashtags:

08/13/2026

We're proud to welcome Hernando County Professional Firefighters, IAFF Local 3760 as a sponsor of the Fore Sky Memorial Golf Tournament!

The members of IAFF Local 3760 proudly represent the professional firefighters and paramedics serving Hernando County. Their commitment to protecting lives, serving their community, and supporting their fellow first responders extends far beyond emergency response. Through advocacy, charitable involvement, and unwavering dedication to the fire service, Local 3760 continues to make a lasting impact both on and off duty.

Their support helps us honor Skyler's legacy and make a real difference for Camp ASCCA and the County Firefighters Benevolent Association .

Thank you, IAFF Local 3760, for your commitment to the fire service and for helping make this event possible.

08/11/2026

We're proud to welcome Blue Jasper as a sponsor of the Fore Sky Memorial Golf Tournament!

Blue Jasper Capital is a Clermont-based financial planning and wealth management firm dedicated to helping individuals, families, and business owners build a secure financial future without compromising their christian values. Through personalized financial planning, investment management, tax planning, and business planning, their team helps clients pursue long-term financial freedom with confidence and purpose. As an independent registered investment advisor, they are committed to serving clients with integrity, stewardship, and a values-based approach to investing.

Their support helps us honor Skyler's legacy and make a real difference for ASCCA and the Lake County Firefighters Benevolent Association .

Learn more about how Blue Jasper Capital can help you plan for your financial future by visiting their website: https://www.bluejaspercapital.com/

Thank you, Blue Jasper Capital!

08/10/2026

We're proud to welcome the Clermont Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 4350 as a sponsor of the Fore Sky Memorial Golf Tournament!

The members of IAFF Local 4350 proudly serve the Clermont community with professionalism, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property. Beyond answering the call in times of emergency, Local 4350 is deeply invested in supporting local families, strengthening the community, and standing beside fellow first responders. Their dedication to service extends far beyond the fire station, making a lasting impact both on and off duty.

Their support helps us honor Skyler's legacy and make a real difference for Camp ASCCA and the Lake County Firefighters Benevolent Association .

Thank you, IAFF Local 4350, for your continued commitment to serving our community and supporting this meaningful event.