Jupiter lays out transition plan, timeline and station construction as it prepares to launch its own fire rescue service

Jupiter officials presented a multi-part plan May 20 to transition fire and emergency medical services from Palm Beach County to a new Jupiter Fire Rescue Department, approved a construction contract for two new fire stations and authorized use of surtax proceeds to help pay for the work.

The Fire Chief told the Town Council the department will begin providing full fire and EMS services next year and that the town is proposing a phased transition that avoids “flipping a switch at midnight.” He said the town wants joint training and a 60-day period of parallel response so new Jupiter crews and Palm Beach County crews can work side-by-side before fully handing over responses.

Nut graf: The council approved a guaranteed-maximum-price progressive design-build contract with Kaufman Lynn Construction for vertical construction of two stations (Resolution 62-25) and authorized surtax proceeds to fund part of the project (Resolution 63-25). The council also adopted an interlocal transition framework (Resolution 67-25) asking Palm Beach County to work with Jupiter on joint response, training, data sharing, plan review and staged station possession as the town begins assuming service responsibilities.

The chief said Jupiter Fire Rescue is creating a Fire Prevention and Community Risk Reduction Division to handle code enforcement, prevention and…