Fatal Car Accident Involving a Pedestrian on I-95

(Brevard County, Fla.) - A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle on I-95 northbound, near the 210 mile marker.  The pedestrian was out of the vehicle because of a previous vehicle accident, when they were hit by an oncoming vehicle.  The pedestrian was pronounced by Fire Rescue crews at the scene.

Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) is on scene to investigate the accident.  Details on the pedestrian are being withheld until proper notifications are made.

One other person was injured and transported to a local hospital for evaluation.

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Plane Makes Emergency Landing at Cocoa Landfill

(Brevard County, Fla.) - A small aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing today at 2250 Adamson Road in Cocoa.  The plane, with 3 passengers on board, landed safely at the Cocoa Landfill, without further incident.  Brevard County Fire Rescue responded to ensure there were no injuries or hazards present.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was contacted and arrangements were made to remove the plane from the Landfill.  No injuries were reported.

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Motorcycle Crash with Injury

(Merritt Island, Brevard County, Fla.) - A motorcyclist sustained injury this morning as he was involved in a crash on SR3.  Brevard County Fire Rescue (#BCFR) arrived on scene to find the 46 year old man was ejected from his motorcycle at SR3 (N Courtenay Pkwy) and King's Manor Lane, in North Merritt Island.

The motorcyclist was traveling north on SR3 passing the King's Manor Lane intersection when the accident occurred.  On-scene crews described the incident as a "T-bone" type collision.  The vehicles came to a stop in the median and although traffic was delayed, no lane blockage was reported.

The man was transported via medical helicopter to the local trauma center.  No other injuries were reported.  Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) is on scene and will investigate the cause of the accident.

Brevard County Fire Rescue Lifeguard Helps 'Disoriented' Shark

(Brevard County, Fla.) - A lifeguard from Brevard County Fire Rescue's (BCFR) Ocean Rescue helped a "disoriented" shark over the weekend.  The shark was stuck in shallow water, but the BCFR lifeguard helped it deeper waters.

For the safety of both the gathering crowd and the shark, the lifeguard moved the shark farther offshore and into deeper waters.  The lifeguard has experience with alligators and has helped sharks in the past.

For the complete story visit http://www.wftv.com/news/news/local/brevard-lifeguard-helps-disoriented-shark-was-too-/nXw7K/

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Brevard County Fire Rescue / Palm Bay Partnership Promises Most Efficient Delivery of Emergency Services

(Brevard County, Fla.) - Fire and Emergency Medical Services in Palm Bay and South Brevard County will soon benefit from a new partnership designed to deliver the most efficient level of service to residents and will give the citizens of southwest Palm Bay a long awaited new fire station in their community.  On Tuesday, May 14^th, the Brevard County Board of County Commissioners approved an inter-agency agreement that allows each department’s resources to co-locate within each agency’s fire stations.  The Palm Bay City Council approved the agreement on April 18th.  The co-location allows the agencies to work together seamlessly while improving both the level of service and response times.

According to Brevard County Fire Chief Larry Collins, “Shrinking budgets and demands for increased service affect both departments. This sort of innovative thinking, however, demonstrates the agencies’ commitment to operating safely, effectively and efficiently, to the benefit of the citizens of both communities.”

The agreement stems from Harris Corporation’s decision to expand its Palm Bay Road facility.  The expansion encompasses the current site of Brevard County Fire-Rescue (BCFR) Station-84 which has created the need to relocate that facility.  The relocation requires BCFR to move several units.  As a result BCFR Station 84 will move to Palm Bay Fire-Rescue (PBFR) Station 1 which is located at 1201 Port Malabar Blvd., NE.  BCFR’S Rescue-85 will move to PBFR Station 2; and Palm Bay’s Engine 6 will move to BCFR Station 89 which will also become PBFR Station 6.  The new locations will place the emergency units closest to areas of higher call volume, providing for improved response times.

“This agreement creates efficient government and allows us to deliver the best service possible using all available resources,” said Palm Bay Fire Chief Jim Stables.  “The citizens in the southwest portion of the city will benefit the most by getting a new station with full response capability right in the heart of their community where it is most needed.”

BCFR Station 60 currently shares a similar co-location agreement with Cape Canaveral, as does BCFR Station 45 and Rockledge.

The changes will be implemented over the course of the next several months.

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Commercial Structure Fire on Merritt Island

(Brevard County, Fla.) - Brevard County Fire Rescue responded to a fire at a Merritt Island office building this morning (1300 block of N Courtenay Pkwy).  Crews were initially called to an activated fire alarm.  Upon arrival, a building representative told crews there was smoke on the second floor.  After calling for additional resources, crews reported to the second floor to investigate the cause of the smoke.

Truck Company #41 pulled a hose line to the second floor to search for the fire.  They quickly extinguished the flames and contained the damage to the room of origin.  The additional crews used powerful fans to ventilate the smoke from the building to minimize any further damage.

The office building's employees were allowed to return to work as soon as fire crews determined there were no more hazards.  No injuries were reported.

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Methamphetamine Lab Found in Port St John

(Brevard County, Fla.) - Brevard County Fire Rescue's Hazardous Materials Unit responded to a home that was believed to be making methamphetamine.  The Haz-Mat unit was requested by the Brevard County Sheriff Office Methamphetamine Suppression Unit as part of their joint effort to confirm suspected meth labs and remove any hazards.

The 5400 block of Holden Road in Port St John was shut down during the operation.  Once Haz-Mat crews made access to the residence, they were able to confirm the home was being used as an active Methamphetamine Lab.

Two people were transported by ambulance to local hospitals for evaluation.

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Prescribed Fire in Grant-Valkaria

(Valkaria, Fla) - A 150-acre prescribed fire in the Grant-Valkaria area is planned for today (May 16, 2013).  The burn is being conducted by the Florida Forest Service and Brevard's Environmentally Endangered Lands Program (EEL).

Prescribed fire involves the careful application of fire by professional burn managers under specific weather and fuel conditions.  The process is aligned with specific environmental resource management goals.

Benefits include the reduction of wildfire risk, habitat restoration and recycling of nutrients back into the soil.

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Kitchen fire forces evacuation of Melbourne apartment building

(Brevard County, Fla) - A late night kitchen fire forced the evacuation of an apartment complex in Melbourne.  Brevard County Fire Rescue received the call just after 9:30 p.m. last night (May 13, 2013) and arrived on scene to find the fire sprinkler system had contained a kitchen fire on the third floor.

Crews quickly prevented further fire spread, removed the smoke and shut off the flowing sprinkler heads.  The building's residents were temporarily displaced, but returned to their homes that evening.  The apartment's management has moved the residents of the involved units into vacant apartments, so the need for Red Cross assistance was not necessary.

The incident prompted a response of nearly 30 firefighters.  No injuries were reported.