South Trail Fire Protection & Rescue Service District

10/15/2026

In Loving Memory of Ragan (Ray) J. Backstrom Jr.

February 18, 1971 – October 7, 2026

South Trail Fire & Rescue is saddened to announce that Fire Inspector/Investigator Ragan (Ray) J. Backstrom Jr., 55, passed away unexpectedly on October 7, 2026, leaving behind a lifetime of love, laughter, service, and memories that will forever be cherished by those who knew and loved him.
Ray proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army. He was also a volunteer firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), as well as an officer with the Arizona Department of Corrections. He later spent many years working with security and fire alarm systems. He returned to fire service as a Fire Inspector for the School District of Lee County in 2022. Since 2024, Ray proudly served as a Fire Inspector with the South Trail Fire & Rescue District.

10/14/2026

No School? No Problem! Join Us for Public Safety Day!
Lee County students are out of school on Monday, October 19, so why not spend part of the day with your local first responders?

South Trail Fire & Rescue is teaming up with the Lee County Sheriff's Office, and Lee County Public Safety for a fun, FREE event for the whole family!

Monday, October 19, 2026
10 AM – 12 PM
Target at Market Square, 13711 S. Tamiami Trail

🚒 Explore fire trucks and emergency vehicles
🚓 Meet local first responders and K9 Valor
❤️ Learn important safety tips
🎁 Enjoy giveaways and fun activities
🎃 Pick up Halloween treats and coloring sheets!

Make the most of your day off from school! Stop by, say hello, and have some fun while learning how to stay safe.

10/12/2026

WELCOME HOME, TASK FORCE 6! After five days of deployment in response to Hurricane Isaias, your Southwest Florida Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 6 members are safely back home!
We’re proud of our South Trail firefighters and all the Task Force 6 members who answered the call to help others.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Cw6S9Diru/?mibextid=wwXIfr

10/09/2026

A PAW-sitively Great Time at Yappy Hour! Our South Trail firefighters joined the fun at Yappy Hour at Bell Tower Shops, supporting our friends at the Gulf Coast Humane Society!
We had a great time meeting all the adorable pups (and their humans!), handing out Pet Finder decals, can toppers with fire safety messages, and, of course, plenty of treats for our four-legged friends! Our very own Firefighter Jon got to play celebrity judge for the dog costume contest! Talk about a tough job! How do you pick a winner when they’re ALL that cute?!
Fire safety, furry friends, and a great cause — that’s our kind of Yappy Hour!!

10/08/2026

DEPLOYED AND READY TO RESPOND!
Florida Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 6 (FL-TF6) has been activated and deployed to Tallahassee, where team members will stage in preparation for Hurricane Isaias making landfall.
Our Southwest Florida team is made up of highly trained firefighters from multiple local fire districts who bring specialized skills and certifications in swiftwater rescue, technical rescue, and other complex emergency operations.
Here in Southwest Florida, we know firsthand the devastation a hurricane can bring to the communities where we live and work. We also know how much it means to have skilled rescuers arrive when help is needed most.
We are proud of our South Trail firefighters and all the members of FL-TF6 who are leaving their families and communities behind to help others. Their extensive training, specialized equipment, and dedication will be invaluable in the days ahead.
Stay safe, Task Force 6! Southwest Florida is behind you, and we're proud to send some of our best to help our fellow Floridians.
Send some extra love to the South Trail Firefighters that have been deployed: Battalion Chief Matt Seneca, Captain Matt Thunell, and Training Captain Pedro Oliva!

FLORIDA TASK FORCE 6 | ACTIVATED

Florida Task Force 6 (FL-TF6) has been activated by the State of Florida and is deploying to North Florida in response to Tropical Storm Isaias.

Our Urban Search and Rescue team is mobilizing with highly trained personnel, specialized equipment, and the resources necessary to support communities threatened by the approaching storm.

FL-TF6 is prepared to conduct search and rescue operations, provide emergency medical support, and assist with disaster response efforts. Team members will work alongside local, state, and federal agencies to ensure critical resources are available where they are needed most.

As communities across Florida prepare for the potential impacts of the storm, our team stands ready to answer the call and carry out its mission of protecting lives and assisting those in need.

10/07/2026

Rainy roads call for a little extra patience behind the wheel!
Heavy rain can reduce visibility, make roads slick and cause water to quickly collect on streets and intersections. Slow down, give yourself extra room and pay attention to changing road conditions.

Take a look at these reminders before you hit the road. A few simple precautions can help everyone get where they’re going safely. Slow down. Stay alert. Stay out of floodwater.

10/06/2026

Your phone. Your laptop. Your cordless vacuum. That light-up toy that mysteriously starts making noise at 2 a.m. Lithium-ion batteries are everywhere—in our homes, vehicles, backpacks, and pockets. They power our tablets, Chromebooks, tools, and plenty of things we’d rather not live without. So let’s learn to live safely with them!

This Fire Prevention Week, South Trail Fire & Rescue is joining NFPA’s message: “Charge Into Fire Safety. Safe Charging Is a Superpower.”

A few everyday habits make a difference:

✅ Use the correct battery and manufacturer-approved charger.
✅ Charge on a hard, flat surface—not tucked into your bed or couch.
✅ Keep charging devices away from things that burn and clear of your exits.
✅ Stop using batteries that are damaged, swollen, or unusually hot.

We love what our batteries do for us. Let’s give them safe charging habits—and give ourselves a safe way out.

Before you plug in, charge up on battery safety. The correct charge...

10/03/2026

South Trail Fire & Rescue L69, Rescue 62, Engine 61, Rescue 61, Battalion 60 and City of Fort Myers Fire Department Engine 17 responded with multiple ambulances from Lee County EMS to a serious motor vehicle crash at Six Mile Cypress Parkway and Daniels Parkway involving six vehicles.
Initial reports indicated multiple injuries and a child trapped in one of the vehicles. As crews arrived, they immediately began assessing patients, providing emergency medical care and addressing the entrapments.
The crash resulted in multiple seriously injured patients, including:
• 1 patient in traumatic cardiac arrest
• 2 adult trauma alerts
• 1 pediatric trauma alert
• 1 Priority 2 patient
The scene was turned over to law enforcement. Please use caution and avoid the area, give first responders and investigators room to work.

10/02/2026

Training isn’t always about fighting fires. Sometimes it’s about protecting the firefighter.
Bunker gear is essential to keeping our firefighters safe on an emergency scene—but properly maintaining that gear is also an important part of protecting their health throughout their careers and well into the future.
South Trail firefighters recently attended an informational training with our bunker gear manufacturer, Morning Pride, focused on the proper care and inspection of their protective equipment. Firefighters learned how to thoroughly perform safety inspections, properly clean their gear, and disassemble and reassemble all three protective layers according to manufacturer recommendations.
Our firefighters train on far more than hoses, ladders and rescue techniques. Understanding the equipment designed to protect them—and taking care of it properly—is another important part of staying healthy, safe and ready to serve.