Hardee County Fire Rescue

09/04/2026

Training That Makes a Difference

Last week, Hardee County Fire Rescue personnel completed Vehicle and Machinery Rescue (VMR) operations training with Elite Rescue Academy.

Crews worked through the Florida heat to gain in-depth, hands-on experience in vehicle extrication techniques used when responding to serious motor vehicle crashes. This type of training helps ensure our firefighters are prepared to safely and efficiently remove vehicles and reach patients when every second matters.

We appreciate Elite Rescue Academy for providing this valuable training and Recycling at Marty’s for allowing our crews to use their facility as the training site.
Firefighters from Fort Meade were also invited to participate, giving our departments another opportunity to train together before we are called to work together in an emergency.

Thank you to everyone who made the training possible.

We look forward to continuing to include our mutual aid partners in future training opportunities as we work together to strengthen emergency response throughout our area.

08/31/2026

Are you ready to make a difference in the community?

We're looking for dedicated and compassionate Firefighter EMTs and Firefighter Paramedics to join our team!

Apply today and become part of a team that serves with courage, commitment, and compassion.

08/20/2026

Today is the day, please join us & be part of our 5-Year Strategic Planning.

08/18/2026

Meet Your Firefighter | Lieutenant Sean Testerman

For our next Meet Your Firefighter spotlight, we’re featuring Lieutenant Sean Testerman, who has served with Hardee County Fire Rescue for 16½ years and is currently assigned to Station 3, B Shift.

For Sean, the most rewarding part of the job is knowing that every day brings another opportunity to make a difference.

“At the end of the day, it’s knowing that I came to work, helped people, and hopefully made a positive impact that makes this job so rewarding.”

Sean chose the fire service because he wanted a career with purpose, one that would challenge him, allow him to help others, and give him the opportunity to be someone people could count on when they needed help the most.

Outside of work, Sean stays busy with weight training, golf and simulator golf. He is also musically inclined, playing both guitar and drums, and enjoys recording and producing his own music tracks.

Thank you, Lieutenant Testerman, for your 16½ years of service and continued commitment to the Hardee County community.

Stay tuned as we continue introducing the men and women of Hardee County Fire Rescue.

08/18/2026

Don't miss our upcoming Strategic Planning Workshop THIS Thursday from 4pm-6pm, we highly encourage you to attend and complete the survey.

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08/14/2026

08/13/2026

Help us with our upcoming Strategic Planning Workshop by completing the survey, your feedback is very valuable to the process.

08/12/2026

Hardee County Fire Rescue is looking back at where we started as we plan for where we are going.

As part of the upcoming Fire Rescue Strategic Planning process, HCFR is working to document the history and development of fire and emergency medical services in Hardee County. We are asking former employees, volunteer firefighters, EMS personnel, retirees, their families, and longtime community members to help us fill in the story.

We are especially interested in:
-Historical photographs of Fire and EMS personnel, stations, apparatus, equipment, training, calls, and community events
-Stories and memories from former firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, volunteers, dispatchers, and department leadership
-Information about the early years of Fire and EMS services throughout Hardee County
-The history surrounding the merger of Hardee County EMS and the Wauchula Fire Department
-The transition from volunteer-supported services to full-time, 24-hour Fire Rescue operations
-Historical information about fire service in Bowling Green and other areas of the county
-Names and contact information for individuals who may have additional knowledge or records

Our current records indicate that Hardee County EMS merged with the Wauchula Fire Department in 1987. Hardee County Fire Rescue later provided Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. coverage to augment volunteer services before transitioning to 24/7 shifts in approximately 2004, with Bowling Green undergoing a similar transition afterward.

We would like to confirm, expand, and preserve this history with the help of the people who lived it.

If you have photographs, documents, stories, dates, names, or other pieces of Hardee County Fire Rescue history to share, please contact Hardee County Fire Rescue or send a message through this page as well as phone # 863-473-4834 and email: [email protected]

Please share this post with former Fire and EMS personnel and families who may be able to help us preserve this important part of Hardee County's history.

Help us tell the story of Hardee County Fire Rescue... from its earliest days to the department serving our community today.

08/06/2026

Welcome to the fleet, Brush 2!

Built for reliability and performance in wildland and rural firefighting conditions, this new apparatus will strengthen Hardee County Fire Rescue’s ability to serve and protect our community.

Thank you to Warrior Brush Trucks and Darley Pumps for helping bring Brush 2 to life. Stay tuned for its official introduction!

Warrior Brush Trucks
Darley
Hardee County BOCC

08/05/2026

🎓🚒 Congratulations, Firefighter/EMT Ismael Mejia!

Hardee County Fire Rescue is proud to recognize Firefighter/EMT Ismael Mejia on his recent graduation from the Paramedic Program at South Florida State College.

Earning a paramedic certification requires countless hours of classroom instruction, clinical training, and hands-on experience, all while balancing the demands of serving as a full-time Firefighter/EMT. This accomplishment reflects Ismael's dedication to his profession, his commitment to lifelong learning, and his desire to provide the highest level of care to the citizens of Hardee County.

While this graduation marks a significant milestone, his journey continues as he prepares for the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) Paramedic certification exam.

Congratulations, Ismael, on this outstanding achievement. Thank you for your dedication to Hardee County Fire Rescue and for your continued commitment to serving our community. We wish you the very best as you take the next step toward becoming a nationally certified paramedic.

Please join us in congratulating Firefighter/EMT Ismael Mejia!

📸Pictured with South Florida State College EMS & Fire Services Chair Steve Ashworth and fellow Hardee County Fire Rescue Firefighter/Paramedic Landon Yock, celebrating this important milestone.