Located in the ORCA Public Safety Building is Ocean Reef Fire Station 26, the northernmost fire station in Monroe County, FL (the Florida Keys). Fire Station 26 houses one E-One Fire Engine, one E-One 75’ Aerial Ladder / Pumper (a “Quint”), three advanced life support Rescue Ambulances, a Shift Commander SUV, and a 10-meter MetalCraft Fire/Security Boat. Delivery of an Oshkosh Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Quick Response Vehicle is anticipated in late 2023.

ORCA Firefighter-Paramedics are divided into three shifts. The Firefighters assigned to each shift work twenty-four hours on-duty followed by forty-eight hours off. Eight or nine career Firefighter-Paramedics and usually one Volunteer Firefighter staff each shift. The Fire Chief works Monday through Friday performing management and administrative duties, and he will respond to serious fires or emergencies to serve as the Incident Commander. 

On each shift, one of the career Firefighters is a Fire Captain, who serves as the Shift Commander, one is a Fire Lieutenant, and the remaining staff are Firefighter-Paramedics. 

The ORCA Fire-Rescue Department response jurisdiction includes not only Ocean Reef but also Key Largo Angler’s Club, and several miles of Route 905 and Card Sound Road. We are 11 miles from the closest fire station, which is Station 25 in Key Largo. Services provided by ORCA Fire-Rescue include Land-Based and Marine Firefighting; Rescue Services; Advanced Life Support Emergency Medical Response and Transport; Community Paramedic Follow Up; Community CPR / AED & First Aid Education; Community Fire Extinguisher Education and Training; Fire Prevention and Life Safety Education; Annual Fire Hydrant and Well Testing; Pre-Fire Planning; Special Events and Fire Watch Staffing; Liaison with Monroe County Fire Prevention and Fire Marshall Division.