From city fire chiefs to residents grateful for the paramedics who rushed to their aid, hundreds of people began speaking today at a Pinellas County Commission hearing to comment on a plan to cut emergency rescue costs countywide. ...more

March 20, 2009

Pinellas County should consolidate fire coverage for its unincorporated areas to save taxpayer money and equalize resources, an audit recommends. ...more

March 13, 2009

The burning question around North Pinellas fire stations these days is how will the county's plan to renegotiate emergency medical service funding to local agencies impact their ability to serve their communities. Last week a unanimous County Commission voted to revisit the county's first-responder contract with 19 cities and fire districts, which helps the cities and districts pay for firefighter-paramedics. ...more

February 28, 2009

What was supposed to be a controlled burn in Manatee County turned into an uncontrolled brush fire that has consumed more than 50 acres and threatened two homes, officials said. ...more

February 14, 2009