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 education, and introduced Andrew “Drew” Arminas as the town’s new division chief of fire prevention and community risk reduction (fire marshal). Arminas told the council he intends to “serve” residents and business owners and emphasized a community-oriented approach.

On transition mechanics, the town proposed that Jupiter and Palm Beach County engage in joint responses beginning in August 2026 and continuing through September 2026 (a proposed 60-day transition window). The chief said the town is not proposing to end the county contract early or reduce county revenue, but seeks automatic aid agreements so the county could redeploy resources to busier areas.

The town specifically offered to provide full automatic aid to unincorporated areas served by Palm Beach County Stations 18 (Burt Reynolds Park) and 19 (off Central Boulevard) at no cost to the county. The town also proposed that Station 16 (Abacoa) be transitioned to Jupiter and requested to “take possession of station 16 on September 20 first of 2026” to begin responding from that facility; the chief framed the overall approach as preserving interoperability while avoiding sudden operational risks.

The town requested from Palm Beach County access to target-hazard data, Tier 2 facility lists, existing prefire plans, open construction plan review records and recent fire-inspection documentation. The chief asked that Jupiter assume responsibility for new-construction plan review and permit approval by August 2026, acknowledging that the town’s code may differ slightly from the county’s.

Council members pressed for intergovernmental coordination and said they expect the county to negotiate details; one councilor and the town manager said they had met with county officials and characterized early responses as generally positive, though the county’s senior leadership had set some timing expectations (the transcript referenced then–county chief Kennedy asking for a 36-month reassignment window when the ILA was negotiated). Palm Beach County officials (Chief Raleigh/Chief Riley were named in discussion) attended portions of the meeting and were acknowledged for regular cooperation.

On the new-station construction item (Resolution 62-25), Roger Held, senior director of community development, said Kaufman Lynn Construction will serve under an AIA progressive design-build contract with a guaranteed-maximum price; NV5 was identified as the town’s owner’s representative. Councilors asked about materials and schedule; staff said some subcontractors had already begun ordering materials and that foundations were expected to start in July, with occupancy targeted for June 1, 2026 (contract materials and permitting work were described as underway). Mayor Jim Koretsky abstained from the vote on Resolution 62-25 because of a potential perceived conflict; the motion to approve the contract passed 3–0 (Mayor Koretsky abstained). Resolution 63-25, authorizing use of surtax funds as a funding source, passed unanimously.

The council then considered and adopted Resolution 67-25, the proposed interlocal transition framework, by unanimous vote. During discussion council members and staff emphasized the importance of shared radio interoperability, mutual training, plan-review handoffs and the need to avoid disrupting ongoing plan-review processes when operational responsibilities shift.

The Fire Chief said Jupiter Fire Rescue “remains on schedule to be fully operational by August 1, 2026 and to fully respond to all calls within the town of Jupiter on October 1, 2026.” Councilors and staff reiterated that joint training and staged operational handoffs are intended to reduce public-safety risk if or when full local service begins.

Ending: Council members asked staff to continue intergovernmental outreach with Palm Beach County and nearby municipalities to finalize mutual-aid, training and information‑sharing arrangements. The town manager and the fire chief said they would continue scheduled meetings with county officials to try to finalize agreements and data transfers before the proposed transition dates.