DeSoto County Fire Rescue

08/18/2026

🚨 MEDICS ON A MISSION! 🚨
This morning, two of our DeSoto County Fire Rescue medics, Travis Kona and Craig Smith, stepped up to the challenge and tried out for the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team as potential SWAT Medics. 🚑🛡️

Being a SWAT medic requires more than medical knowledge. It takes courage, teamwork, physical fitness, sound judgment, and the ability to perform under intense pressure.

We’re proud of Kona and Craig for putting themselves to the test and representing DeSoto County Fire Rescue! 💪🔥

Good luck to both of you! We’re cheering you on! 👏

08/07/2026

🐾🚒 MEET STATION 1’S NEWEST (AND CUTEST) CREW MEMBER! 🚒🐾

This handsome little guy has been hanging around Station 1, and if you’ve been following our previous posts, you already know our Admin Assistant (Kristy) has a BIG love for cats! 🐈‍⬛❤️

Well… it looks like this little guy has officially worked his way into her heart! 🥹 After getting to know him, she has decided to give this sweet boy a new furever home! 🏠🐾

But before he starts his new life, we need YOUR help! 📣

He needs a name! 😻

So far, she has come up with:
🚒 Captain
🚒 Bunker
🚒 Knox
🚒 Tanker

Now it’s time for everyone to VOTE! 🗳️🐾

👇 What should we name Station 1’s newest little firefighter? 👇

Drop your vote in the comments and help us give this handsome boy the perfect name as he heads off to his furever home! ❤️🐈‍⬛

Captain, Bunker, Knox, or Tanker?
Or… do you have a better name? 👀😹

🐾🚒❤️

07/23/2026

Recently, Captain Haney, along with his family, sat down with Tampa Bay 28 - WFTS Anchor Lauren St Germain to discuss the importance of training to improve obstetric emergency care in rural areas throughout Florida. This is a subject close to Captain Haney and his wife Cassie's hearts, as their two youngest children were both delivered by DeSoto County Fire Rescue Paramedics.

We are not only advancing in obstetric care but also in pediatric care—the National Prehospital Pediatric Readiness assessment. Last time we took the assessment test in 2024, our department scored a 64 out of 100, which was on par with the national average. On our most recent assessment on July 15th, 2026, we scored 93 out of a possible 100 points for pediatric care. This is largely due to revisions in pediatric-specific protocols and enacting a Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator (PECC), as well as the work of the Medical Director to bring pediatric-specific training on a quarterly basis to the department. Recent studies have shown that agencies with a high Pediatric Readiness Score of >87 out of 100 have a 76% lower mortality risk in ill children and a 60% lower mortality rate in injured children.

Tampa Bay 28 Anchor Lauren St Germain met Desoto Fire Rescue Training Captain John Haney and his family outside Desoto Memorial Hospital.

07/19/2026

There’s nothing quite like seeing the excitement through a child’s eyes! 🚒❤️

Today, Samantha and her little brother, Leonardo, stopped by Station 1 with their dad, Ivan. You see, little Leonardo is absolutely obsessed with fire engines! With Dad off work due to the weather, they happened to drive by the station and decided to take a chance to see if someone could show him around.

Paramedic Bosserman was more than happy to give them a tour of the engine, explain the equipment, and answer all of Leonardo’s questions. Judging by the smiles on both Leonardo’s and Samantha’s faces, we’d say big sister and little brother had a pretty memorable visit!

Thank you for stopping by, and remember…our firefighters and paramedics love sharing what they do with the next generation. You never know…we may have met a future firefighter today! 🚒👨‍🚒

07/08/2026

🚧 We've Officially Broken Ground! 🚒

The future of training at DeSoto County Fire Rescue has officially begun!

We are excited to announce that construction is underway on our new DeSoto County Fire Rescue Training Center. This facility represents an investment in our firefighters, our department, and most importantly, the safety of DeSoto County where we proudly serve.

We'll be sharing updates throughout the construction process so you can watch it grow...from bare dirt to the state-of-the-art training center where we will sharpen our skills, prepare for the challenges ahead, and continue striving to provide the highest level of service to DeSoto County.

We also want to express our gratitude to County Administrator Mandy Hines and the DeSoto County Board of County Commissioners for their leadership and dedication in pursuing state funding to make this dream a reality. Their commitment to investing in public safety will have a lasting impact on our firefighters and the citizens of DeSoto County for generations to come.

Watch us grow. Watch us train. Watch us become even stronger for DeSoto County. ❤️🚒

A special thank you to the DeSoto County Road & Bridge Department for their work in preparing the site and helping turn this vision into reality. You are greatly appreciated. Desoto County Road And Bridge

07/07/2026

This is an important story that deserves to be seen.
Thank you to our brothers and sisters at Greater Naples for having the courage to speak openly about the mental health challenges that so many firefighters face. Your willingness to share your experiences helps break the stigma and reminds us that it's okay to ask for help.
Firefighters are there for others on their worst days, but too often they carry the weight of those experiences long after the call is over. Behind every uniform is a person who deserves the same care, compassion, and support they so freely give to others.
Together, we can continue changing the conversation surrounding mental health in the fire service. No firefighter should ever feel they have to fight these battles alone.
Thank you, WINK News, for shining a light on this critical issue, and thank you again to Greater Naples for your leadership and vulnerability.
You are never alone. ❤️🚒

When the alarm rings, firefighters run toward the chaos that everyone else is desperately trying to escape. Most will praise their physical strength, bravery, and lifesaving heroism. But behind the heavy gear and the stoic uniforms lies a silent, devastating mental health crisis—and data shows tha...

07/06/2026

🚒🦆 Not every rescue involves people... sometimes our smallest residents need a helping hand too!

On the 4th of July, while most were celebrating America, our crew responded to an unusual request after an Arcadia Police Department officer reported that a family of ducklings had fallen into a storm drain along US 17 South, just past Pine.

With mama duck waiting and quacking nearby, Lt. Arana, Paramedic Talamentez, and EMT Cholley stepped in to safely rescue the trapped ducklings and reunite them with their very relieved mother.

Whether it's protecting our community or lending a hand to wildlife in need, we're always proud to answer the call.

Great job to our crew for showing that compassion comes in all sizes! ❤️🦆🚒

07/05/2026

We would like to take a second to celebrate Engineer Ian Nuccio as he begins an exciting new chapter with Fort Meade Fire Department as their newest Captain.

Since joining DeSoto County Fire Rescue on December 4, 2017, Ian has been an invaluable member of our family. Throughout his career, he has worn many hats and always answered the call to serve with professionalism and dedication.

During his time with DCFR, Ian has:
🔥 Served as a DeSoto County Sheriff's Office SWAT Team member for the past five years.
🚒 Filled leadership roles as an Acting Engineer and Acting Lieutenant.
🛠️ Served as Assistant Team Leader on our Extrication Team.
📚 Shared his knowledge as both an ACLS and BLS Instructor.
👨‍🚒 Helped shape the next generation of firefighters/paramedics as a Field Training Officer (FTO).
❤️ Played a role in saving numerous lives through several Phoenix Awards recognizing exceptional patient outcomes.

Ian's commitment to our department, our community, and his fellow first responders has left a lasting impact. While we're saddened to see him leave the DCFR family, we couldn't be more proud to see him take this well-earned step in his career.

Please join us in congratulating Captain Ian Nucio and wishing him continued success at Fort Meade Fire Department. Thank you for your years of service, leadership, and friendship. You'll always be part of the DeSoto County Fire Rescue family, and you'll be greatly missed.

Congratulations, Captain! We know you'll continue to do great things. 🚒👏💙❤️

07/05/2026

Uh oh... we may have created a future firefighter! 😄🚒 Miss DeSoto County looked right at home, but don't worry, we're keeping the keys for now! Thanks for spending time with us and for supporting your local firefighters. We can't wait to see you again! 👑❤️🔥

07/05/2026

Happy 4th of July from DeSoto County Fire Rescue!!! 🎆🚒🇺🇸