Miami-Dade Fire Rescue

Planning on going boating this weekend? Make sure to keep safety top of mind by following these boating safety tips provided by #MDFR Division Chief Michael Eng.

As the weekend approaches, follow this #NationalSafeBoatingWeek safety tip when out on the water: Always pay attention. Know what’s going on around you at all times. The top two primary contributing factors in boating incidents in 2024 were caused by operator inattention and improper lookout.

On Friday, May 22, 2026, at approximately 4:30 a.m., Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) units responded to reports of a RV on fire near the 12200 block of Northwest 17th Place. Upon arrival, crews found an RV fully engulfed in flames with the fire spreading to a nearby home. Firefighters initiated a fire attack, conducted primary and secondary searches of the home, and performed vertical ventilation to reduce smoke and heat buildup, helping prevent the fire from spreading further. Crews extinguished the fire and remained on scene monitoring for any remaining hot spots. No injuries were reported, and all occupants were safely evacuated prior to our arrival. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Responding B-shift units: AIR, B04, B05, E07, E19, E45, E54, M07, P26, R07, R26, R54, V05, V06

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue encourages you to educate yourself this #NationalSafeBoatingWeek. Take a safe boating course. Gain valuable knowledge and on-water experience in a boating safety course with many options for novice to experienced boaters.

This week, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue’s (MDFR) Community Affairs team attended Career Day events at Downtown Doral Charter Upper School and Academir Charter School South. Students learned fire and life-safety tips to help keep themselves and their families safe during emergencies while getting a firsthand look inside a fire truck and the equipment firefighters use. Learn more about MDFR educational programs available in our community: bit.ly/3OTCuXR

Large-scale events across Miami-Dade County, from major sporting events to festivals, require dedicated fire-rescue coverage to help keep attendees safe. MDFR’s Special Events Bureau provides that support using specialized rescue units designed for crowded venues and limited-access areas, coordinated with event organizers, who fund staffing and resources. This week, personnel trained at the MDFR Training Center to remain prepared for emergency response at special events.

On Wednesday, trauma survivors reunited with the doctors who cared for them during some of the most difficult moments of their lives at the Trauma Survivors Day event at HCA Florida Kendall Hospital. Among those in attendance were Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) Assistant Medical Director Dr. Anton Gomez, who also serves on the hospital’s medical staff, and MDFR personnel, who gathered to honor survivors and reflect on the impact of emergency and trauma care. During the event, Chief of Public Safety Arnold Palmer presented HCA Chief Executive Officer Ben Harris with a proclamation on behalf of Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and the Board of County Commissioners, recognizing the hospital’s commitment to trauma care. The stories shared by survivors served as a powerful reminder of the lasting impact of emergency response, trauma care, and the partnerships between hospitals and first responders that help save lives.

When out on the water it is vital to prepare for the unexpected. This #NationalSafeBoatingWeek Miami-Dade Fire Rescue reminds you to watch the weather and always check the forecast before departing on the water and frequently during the excursion.

Exercise caution and be safe this #NationalSafeBoatingWeek. Never boat under the influence. According to U.S. Coast Guard statistics, where the primary cause was known, alcohol was listed as the leading factor in 20% of recreational boating deaths in 2024. Always designate a sober skipper.

Over the weekend, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue joined families at the Water Safety Awareness Day event at the Doral Central Park Aquatic Facility, where children participated in swim lessons, and families learned more about staying safe in and around the water. Our EMS Outreach team was on-site, giving participants the opportunity to practice CPR compressions, learn how to recognize when someone may need CPR, call 911, and locate an AED during an emergency. Thank you to everyone who stopped by! Learn more about our Health Emergency Life Protection (HELP) Training Course: bit.ly/3r4WU3U

With boating season underway, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue reminds you to be safe with this #NationalSafeBoatingWeek tip. File a float plan. Always let someone on shore know your trip itinerary, including operator and passenger information, boat type and registration, and communication equipment on board before you leave the dock.

On Saturday, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue joined our community partners for the Summer Safety Splash event at A.D. (Doug) Barnes Park. Members of our community participated in water activities, learned about swim safety, and received other important safety information to help keep their families safe. Thank you to everyone who came out and joined us!

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue wants you to practice safe boating this #NationalSafeBoatingWeek. An engine cut-off switch matters – use it. It’s also the law. An engine cut-off switch is a proven safety device to stop a powerboat engine should the operator unexpectedly fall overboard.

As we kick off #EMSWeek, this year’s theme, “Improving Outcomes, Together” reminds us that emergency medical care goes beyond a single call. It’s reflected in lives saved, families kept together, and patients continuing on the road to recovery after one of the hardest days of their lives. At Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, our personnel provide lifesaving care when it matters most. One of the greatest privileges is when our personnel reunite with patients whose lives they helped save, witnessing the lasting impact of trust, compassion, and care. This EMS Week, we thank our EMS professionals for going above and beyond to save lives, support recovery, and help make our community safer. Your dedication changes outcomes. Your compassion changes lives.

This #NationalSafeBoatingWeek, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue encourages you to stay safe on the water. Always wear a life jacket. Make sure everyone wears a life jacket – every time. A stowed life jacket is no use in an emergency.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) visited Dadeland Station Preschool on Thursday, where young students learned about fire safety and saw firsthand the gear firefighters use in emergencies. #MDFR offers a variety of educational programs in our community. To learn more, visit bit.ly/3OTCuXR

Congratulations to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) Lt. Jeanette Harrington on being named the 2026 recipient of the Health Care Heroes First Responder Award by the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce. Lt. Harrington has served with #MDFR for 23 years, dedicating her career to aiding our community and causes she cares about. Her commitment to service extends far beyond the uniform, making a lasting impact through advocacy, awareness, and community engagement.

Last week, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue personnel enrolled in the Basic/Advanced Marine Fire Fighting Certification Course 2026-01 completed their final scenario, putting their training to the test in a realistic firefighting environment. Throughout the 80-hour course, participants developed the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to safely and effectively respond to marine vessel emergencies, including shipboard firefighting tactics, rescue operations, vessel stability, incident management, and more. This specialized training helps ensure #MDFR personnel assigned to PortMiami and Fireboat operations remain prepared to respond to complex maritime incidents in and around our community’s waterways.

As we observe International Water Safety Day, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue reminds our community that drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages one to four. Water safety starts with awareness and supervision. Teach children how to swim, never leave them unattended around water, and always be prepared to act in case of an emergency. #MDFR

Heat cramps are often an early warning sign of heat-related illness. If you or someone else experiences painful muscle spasms, take action right away by moving to a cool area, hydrating, and gently stretching the affected muscles.