Lake County Fire Rescue has entered into an automatic aid agreement with Marion County Fire Rescue that will benefit residents and businesses of both counties that reside along the Lake/Marion County line.
The agreement will provide faster response times to properties in the area for all structure fires, mechanical fire alarms and critical medical calls.
The agreement allows the closest unit to respond regardless of jurisdictional boundaries, providing faster emergency response for residents and businesses near the county line.
“Marion County Fire Chief James Banta has been instrumental in moving this agreement forward,” said Lake County Fire Rescue Chief Jim Dickerson. “This is a win-win for both agencies and the residents served in the bordered areas, both in providing the necessary emergency services for these communities and saving taxpayers money.”
Another benefit of the agreement is a possible reduction in insurance premiums for some property owners. Property owners in the affected areas are encouraged to contact their insurance companies to inquire about potential savings. Additionally, properties that may have previously been unable to obtain insurance may now be able to do so.
“Marion County Fire Rescue is pleased to announce the approval of this new automatic aid agreement with Lake County Fire Rescue,” said Banta. “The goal of this agreement is to provide the most appropriate help in the quickest amount of time. Now, our two departments can utilize shared resources in order to proudly protect life and property with honor, compassion and respect.”
Firefighters of Lake County Fire Rescue protect county residents and visitors in an area covering approximately 1,200 square miles, with nearly 70,000 residences and up to 2,000 commercial properties. For more information, visit https://lakecountyfl.gov/offices/fire_rescue/ or https://www.facebook.com/LakeCountyFireRescue/.
