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Bradford County Fire Rescue reports 7,185 calls, new programs and improved outcomes in annual update
Summary
Fire Chief Ben Carter reported that Bradford County Fire Rescue responded to 7,185 calls in the past year, added new medical capabilities including field antibiotics and automated CPR devices, expanded community programs and achieved a 38% ROSC rate for cardiac arrests—above the state average.
Fire Chief Ben Carter presented Bradford County Fire Rescue’s annual report, summarizing responses, new programs and equipment upgrades.
Carter reported 7,185 calls for service in the past 12 months (about 20 calls per day). Notable call totals included 37 structure fires, 26 vehicle fires, 89 brush fires (195 acres burned), 256 motor vehicle collisions generating 620 patients, 76 cardiac arrests (resuscitation attempted on 56 patients), and a return-of-spontaneous-circulation (ROSC) rate of 38 percent (state average cited at 24 percent).
Carter said the department has introduced several clinical and operational improvements: carrying antibiotics on rescues to start sepsis treatment in the field, placing automated CPR (LUCAS) devices on frontline units, deploying video laryngoscopes, and expanding advanced life support on engine apparatus. He noted the community paramedicine program completed projects including porch installation for a patient and initiated free Narcan distribution boxes around the county.
Carter listed training, interagency events and public education during the year: cooperative work with UF Health (mobile stroke unit access), hosting regional fire chiefs, preplanning commercial structures, student CPR training and partnering on EMT educational programs with Santa Fe College. He said Station 90 (Sampson City) was the busiest unit and that construction of living quarters at Station 90 is nearly 50% complete.
Commissioners and attendees applauded Fire Rescue personnel for the year’s work; no formal action was recorded on the item.
