Hardee County Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 3471

10/21/2026

10/19/2026

10/17/2026

10/05/2026

Traffic Crash Road Closure

Both northbound lanes of US Hwy 17 at Sterner Road are closed due to a traffic crash with fatalities. Please use an alternate route. Delays should be expected for an extended period of time.

10/05/2026

Our hearts are heavy today following the tragic school bus crash in Polk County this morning.

We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the Winter Haven High School student and the other member of their community who tragically lost their lives.

Our thoughts and prayers are also with every student and individual who was injured, those who remain hospitalized, and all of the students who experienced something this morning that no child should ever have to experience.

We stand with their families, their friends and classmates, the faculty and staff of Winter Haven High School, and the entire Polk County Public Schools community as they begin to process an unimaginable tragedy.

There are simply no words that can make the loss of a child — or the sudden loss of someone we love — easier to comprehend.

We also want to recognize the more than 100 first responders and emergency personnel who answered the call this morning. To the firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, dispatchers, law enforcement officers, medical flight crews, hospital personnel, chaplains, and everyone who worked to care for these children and everyone involved: our thoughts are with you, too.

Calls like this are among the most difficult our first responders will ever face.

Behind every uniform is a human being. Scenes involving critically injured children and loss of life don’t necessarily end for a responder when the scene is cleared, the apparatus returns to quarters, or the last report is written. Sometimes those calls come home with us.

To our brothers and sisters who answered this call today: take care of one another. Check on the person beside you. In the coming hours and days, don’t hesitate to talk about what you saw, what you experienced, and how you’re doing.

Today, an entire community is hurting.

We stand with the victims and their families.
We stand with the students, faculty, and staff of Winter Haven High School.
We stand with Polk County Public Schools.
And we stand with every first responder who answered the call when our community needed them most.

From all of us at Hardee County Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 3471, our thoughts, prayers, and deepest condolences are with our neighbors in Polk County. ❤️‍🩹

09/28/2026

🚒 Okeechobee County Fire Rescue is hiring Firefighter/Paramedics!

• Starting salary UP to $71,543.14 based on experience
• 48/96 schedule
• Florida Retirement System
• Health insurance and PTO
• Step increases and career growth

Apply here:
https://www.okeechobeecountyfl.gov/departments/human-resources/employment-opportunity

09/23/2026

The city is looking for dedicated men and women for multiple positions within Deerfield Beach Fire Rescue in Deerfield Beach. We offer competitive benefits and pay, and a 24/72 schedule for firefighters. Starting salaries are scaled depending on an applicant’s level of experience.

If you’re passionate about serving others and making a difference in your community, stay tuned for upcoming Deerfield Beach Fire Rescue job postings. Visit https://www.deerfield-beach.com/2276/Fire-Rescue for more information.

09/19/2026

🚨 WE’RE OFFICIALLY 24/72! 🚨

A new schedule. A new chapter. The same commitment to serving Levy County. ❤️‍🔥🚒🚑

Today marks an exciting milestone for the Levy County Department of Public Safety — we have officially transitioned to the 24/72 schedule!

After months of planning, preparation, hard work, and a whole lot of moving pieces behind the scenes, our crews are now operating on a schedule designed to provide our members with a better work-life balance while continuing to deliver the high-quality fire and EMS service our community depends on.

For our members, 24/72 means 24 hours on duty followed by 72 hours off — this equated to a 42-hour average work week as recommended by legislation, closer to the typical 40-hour week worked by most professions.

For our community, one thing hasn’t changed:
When you call, we’re there. 🚒🚑

This transition represents a significant investment in our personnel and our department’s future. We’re proud of the team who worked through the planning, logistics, staffing, payroll, scheduling, and countless other details required to make this happen.

Most importantly, we’re proud to continue serving the residents and visitors of Levy County every day, every shift, and every call.
24/72 is officially here.

Same mission. Same dedication. A new way forward.

🔥 Levy County DPS — Ready to Respond. Ready to Serve. Ready for What’s Next. 🚑

#24/72