Like many of the residents we support, Marion County Fire Rescue has had to cut back on spending during the past several years. I am proud our department continues to fulfill this directive without reducing the quality of service we provide our residents & guests. And to top that, this was achieved without cutting the number of firefighter/paramedics & firefighter/EMTs.

MCFR has been able to improve the full spectrum of emergency service we provide despite budgetary setbacks by re-organizing our administrative structure, creating unique partnerships & increasing the efficiency of our proocesses.

Partnerships with local organizations have increased the level of care all partners can provide to residents and guest of Marion County. The air medical program, ShandsCair2, for example, reduces transport time when seconds count. This asset would not have been attainable if not for our partners UF Health/Shands & Med-Trans.

Thanks to support of the Ocala Health System, Marion County Fire Rescue has added a critical care transport truck to its fleet of emergency response vehicles.

MCFR has also re-launched the non-certified recruit training program giving Marion County residents a direct entry into a fire service career.

We continue to add information about our programs and department to this website, please feel free to get to know your fire rescue department, how we train & the behind-the-scenes operations necessary to protect Marion County.

We work hard every day to carry out the fire department’s mission of saving lives & protecting property, & we need your help. Discover ways you can become vigilant when it comes to your health & fire safety through our upcoming programs & explore our department's pages for safety tips, too.

Sincerely,
James Banta
Fire Chief, Marion County Fire Rescue