Wildfire Mitigation Team

The Flagler County Fire Rescue Wildfire Mitigation Team was established shortly after the wildfire that occurred in the southern part of Flagler County during the summer of 2007. This was the first major wildfire the county had encountered since the historic firestorm of 1998. Prior to 2000, Flagler County Fire Rescue was primarily staffed by volunteer firefighters. By 2007, however, the county had developed a trained, professional team of career firefighters prepared to take on specialized operations, including the creation of a dedicated group focused on managing wildfires.

Since its inception, the Wildfire Mitigation Team has grown both in size and expertise. Members are currently certified as wildland firefighters in the state of Florida, with many having completed additional specialized training, such as prescribed fire burn manager courses. Over the years, the team's value has become evident. During the 2011 fire season, team members took on leadership roles, managing wildfire events and overseeing operations. Additionally, the team staffed brush trucks to allow regular on-duty fire crews to maintain their regular duties.  

Today, the team consists of 21 members, including a team leader and a deputy leader. All team members are required to complete the Southern Area Engine Academy and other specialized courses to remain on the team. The team's primary objective is conducting prescribed burns to reduce fuel loads around homes and businesses. This proactive approach makes it easier to manage wildfires and decreases the likelihood of fires spreading into populated areas. The team also responds to large fires both within and outside the county, providing additional manpower and expertise as needed.

The Wildfire Mitigation Team is the initial attack on all wildfires, that occur in Flagler County, and the team works closely with the Florida Fire Service to maintain and control these events as quickly as possible.  The team also trains quarterly with the Florida Fire Service to maintain essential skills and tactics required for wildfire control and extinguishment.