The North Port Fire Rescue District knows that an informed public is vital to its mission of protecting the safety of City residents.  For this reason, District personnel actively participate in ongoing programs to educate the public about fire prevention and home safety. District personnel also participate in community events.

Listed below are some of our public/community education programs.  If you would like further information, please contact our Administrative Office at (941)240-8150 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Smoke Detector Inspection/Installation & Battery Replacement

If you don't have a smoke detector, or if you are not sure if your detector is working, please call our Administrative Office (240-8150). District personnel will schedule a free smoke detector(s) installation, check to see if your smoke detector is working properly and, if needed, replace the batteries.

Sharps Exchange Program

This program allows residents to safely and easily dispose of their used household hypodermic needles, syringes or lancets, otherwise known as sharps.  Sharps must be put in an approved rigid, leak proof, puncture resistant container.  Filled containers are dropped off at Station 1, 4980 City Center Blvd., Station 2, 5700 North Port Blvd. or Station 3, 3601 E. Price Blvd. and exchanged for a new container.  There is no cost for this program. Call us for more information.

Community Events

District firefighters and administrative staff actively participate in various community events such as Kids' Fest, parades, Big Truck Day. District personnel are often called upon to speak to clubs and other groups. If you are interested in scheduling firefighters and equipment for a community event, please call 240-8150.

Station Tours

Children and adults are always welcome to tour our stations.  For groups of 10 or more, please call 240-8150 to schedule an appointment.  Fire safety information is incorporated into the tour.  Organizations, such as Scout troops, tour our stations on a regular basis.

People with Special Needs

In the event of a hurricane or other catastrophe, the infirm, handicapped and others who need help evacuating their homes can get that help through the People with Special Needs Program (PSN). The PSN program is coordinated by the Sarasota County Department of Emergency Management, and it is coordinated and implemented in North Port by City Emergency Management personnel.

To receive help when you, or your loved ones, need it, it is important to register in advance for PSN assistance. For information about the PSN program and how to register for it, contact the Sarasota County Special Needs Coordinator at (941) 861-5932.

You can also get a Special Needs Registration Form and questionnaire at North Port Fire Station 81, located at 4980 City Center Blvd.  Mail the completed form to:

                Department of Emergency Management
                Special Needs Registry
                1660 Ringling Blvd.  6th Floor
                Sarasota, FL  34236

The information you provide is only used by Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Fire Department, Law Enforcement, Emergency Management and local health care facilities to ensure safe and timely evacuation.

Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) training course

The purpose of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) course is to provide citizens with the basic skills needed to help themselves and their community survive and recover from a major disaster. The training covers disaster preparedness, fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, disaster medical operations, disaster psychology and terrorism awareness.

When emergencies occur, CERT members can give critical support to first responders like Fire Rescue and Police, provide immediate assistance to victims, and organize volunteers at a disaster site. CERT members can also help with non-emergency projects that help improve the safety of the community.

The 20-hour training course is the standard Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) certification course for the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program

For more information, visit www.NPHSCERT.com, or contact the North Port Fire Rescue District at 240-8150.

Course Contents:

Supported by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the CERT course includes the following study units and activities:

Disaster Preparedness - Makes the student aware of the various types of major emergencies that could affect Southwest Florida, the
Emergency Management system and disaster recovery.

Fire Suppression - Teaches basic fire suppression, team and personal safety considerations, and introduces students to the problems associated with hazardous materials incidents.

Disaster Medical I & II - Teaches students how to recognize and treat life-threatening injuries.  Students will also learn triage, splinting and bandaging and patient care.

Light Search & Rescue - Teaches light search & rescue operations; size-up, search methods, patterns and safety precautions.

Operations - Focuses on CERT operations before and after a disaster.  Students are taught long-term planning, how to organize a neighborhood, how to evaluate available resources and identify people with special needs.

Terrorism - Students will be taught to anticipate various kinds of situations, and how to respond before, during and after a terrorist incident.

Hands-On Exercises - Students will be given a chance role-play and to use all the skills taught in the week long class