Lee County Emergency Management is managed through the County’s Division of Public Safety. The Division also includes Emergency Medical Services, Emergency Communications, Emergency Dispatch and Enhanced 9-1-1.
The Charlotte County Emergency Management is responsible for managing emergencies and disasters in Charlotte County. They have been serving the residents of Charlotte County for more than 30 years.
The Boca Grande Fire Control District extends from the Northernmost point of Gasparilla Island to its Southern tipand is serving a population of approximately 6,000 residents on the beautiful island of Boca Grande.
It covers approximately 4.5 square miles with a 2.5 square mile land mass that is supplied with a well established water supply from the Gasparilla Island Water Association. We respond to various types of emergencies including but not limited to structure fires, vehicle accidents, hazardous materials incidents, medical and marine rescue emergencies and brush fires on and off island.
We also respond as EMS back-up with Lee county EMS, our primary provider for the island. We are able to provide these services thru the utilization of one engine company, one ladder company concept, marine rescue vessel and a brush truck operating out of our well equipped and fully functional public safety building centrally located in the heart of Downtown Boca Grande.
As a department we are dedicated to the community we have sworn to protect, we strive to promote the highest level of service and safety to the people of Boca Grande.
The business and affairs of The Boca Grande Fire Control District are governed and administered by a board of three commissioners which serve a term in office of four years.
There is a chairman, vice chairman and Secretary/Treasurer.
The board powers are defined in Florida Statutes 189, 191 and the district charter.
The purpose of the district is to promote the health, welfare and safety of the citizens and residents that live within the district, providing for personnel, equipment, training and maintenance for emergency response.
The board has the authority to assess ad valorem taxes to fund the operation of the district and creates an annual budget. The Board of Commissioners has the authority to adopt rules and ordinances to promote safety within the district.
Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late – Get Your Boca Grande Hurricane Passes Now!
Hurricane Passes:
To make re-entry easier after a storm event, credit card-style passes are issued to officials, residents, property owners, and business owners in the community of Boca Grande. We encourage you to obtain hurricane passes as early as possible—before a hurricane warning is issued. Commercial businesses must have a valid occupational license with a physical address on the island prior to applying for hurricane passes. The hurricane pass program includes a system of four zones. Your zone will be marked on your hurricane pass to allow for phased re-entry, if warranted.
It’s also important to note that even if you have a Hurricane Pass, it does not guarantee entry onto the island post storm, as roads and/or parts of the island may be impassable amongst other dangers.
Boca Grande Fire Department App:
We recommend downloading our app, as we send notifications through the app with news and information regarding the island, which may include information on when the island may re-open to residents and businesses after a storm event.
Pass Validity:
For the current hurricane season, if you already have a pass, please make sure you know where it is. If you cannot locate your pass, please bring proof of residency and your driver’s license to the fire department to apply for a new pass. All passes will remain valid until further notice.
Important:
The fire department administrative offices will close three business days before a projected hurricane landfall.
Hurricane Passes are available at the Boca Grande Fire Department, located at 360 East Railroad Ave, Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 4 PM. If you are not on the island, you may use the Online Application button above, or print the application using the buttons below, or you can send an email to: [email protected] to request an application. You may then send your completed application with a self addressed, stamped envelope to the Boca Grande Fire Department, PO Box 532, Boca Grande, FL 33921. Please include a copy of your drivers’ license and proof of residency or ownership, i.e. copy of tax bill, deed, rental agreement, utility bill, etc. Once we receive your application and validate documents, we will then mail your hurricane passes to you .
Staying on the Island – if you elect to remain on the Island after an Evacuation Advisory has been issued, which is not recommended, it is requested that you contact the Boca Grande Fire Department at1 964-2908 and leave the following information.
- Name and address where you are staying
- Number of members in your party
- Contact number for next of kin not living in the area
This will aid the Fire Department to expedite search and rescue proceedings as well as body recovery efforts. Those electing not to contact the Boca Grande Fire Department shall be assisted on a first come, first served basis when it is safe to do so.
The Boca Grande Fire Department is NOT A SHELTER OR A SAFE HAVEN. Please make arrangements for evacuations.
Staying on the Island – if you elect to remain on the Island after an Evacuation Advisory has been issued, which is not recommended, it is requested that you contact the Boca Grande Fire Department at 964-2908 and leave the following information.
- Name and address where you are staying
- Number of members in your party
- Contact number for next of kin not living in the area
This will aid the Fire Department to expedite search and rescue proceedings as well as body recovery efforts. Those electing not to contact the Boca Grande Fire Department shall be assisted on a first come, first served basis when it is safe to do so.
The Boca Grande Fire Department is NOT A SHELTER OR A SAFE HAVEN. Please make arrangements for evacuations.
- Own property on the island
- Provide a copy of the lease for the property.
- The tenant or landlord may request the pass by providing proof of residency, such as a utility bill, property tax bill, etc.
- Show valid drivers license
- Must own/manage a business with a physical address on the island
- Provide business license with island address
- Owner/manager must show valid drivers license
- Passes will be issued to businesses and/or employers for their employees. A list of employees shall be submitted to BGFD and passes will be issued to the employer.
- The business owner/property owner is accountable for the pass and the person to whom it is issued
- Passes should be issued only in the event of a storm, and returned to the employer after the storm.
- Caretakers/Housekeepers/Homewatch/lawn service should obtain a pass from their employer/property owner
- ONLY homeowners, tenants, or business owners can request replacements for lost passes.
- All previously issued passes and hangtags are currently valid
- Necessity for pass renewal will be determined on a yearly basis. Watch the local newspapers, or check with the fire department for information.
- DO NOT throw your passes or hangtags away.
For questions regarding hurricane passes, emergency preparedness and evacuation, please contact the Boca Grande Fire Department at 941-964-2908.
In order to make re-entry easier after an event, credit card style passes are issued to officials, residents, property owners and business owners in the Community of Boca Grande.
Boca Grande property owners and those with commercial interests should obtain hurricane passes prior to a hurricane warning being issued. Commercial businesses must have a valid occupational license with a physical address on the island prior to application for hurricane passes. The hurricane pass program includes a system of four zones. Your zone will be marked on your hurricane pass to allow for phased re-entry, if warranted.
A Drivers License with a Boca Grande address does not verify your address. A Hurricane Pass will expedite your return.
Business owners and employees, or residential owners, tenants, and/or family members needing access to their business or property post storm . It is the owners choice and discretion as to how the Passes are used after that.
Currently all previously distributed passes and hangtags are valid.
Please either apply online, send an email to [email protected], or stop by the Boca Grande Fire Department M-F 8am – 4pm, request replacements for lost passes.
Hurricane passes are available online (above application button/link) or from the Boca Grande Fire Department at 360 East Railroad Ave, between the hours of 8AM – 4PM Monday through Friday, or you may send an email to: [email protected] or call to request an application. You may send your completed application with a self addressed, stamped envelope to the Boca Grande Fire Department, PO Box 532, Boca Grande, FL 33921. Include a copy of your drivers’ license, proof of residency or ownership, i.e. copy of tax bill, deed, rental agreement, utility bill, etc..
The Fire Department administrative offices will be closed three business days prior to a projected landfall storm.
If you elect to remain on the Island after an Evacuation Advisory has been issued, which is not recommended, it is requested that you contact the Boca Grande Fire Department at 941-964-2908 and leave the following information:
- Name and address where you are staying
- Number of members in your party
- Contact number for next of kin not living in the area
This will aid the Fire Department to expedite search and rescue proceedings as well as body recovery efforts. Those electing not to contact the Boca Grande Fire Department shall be assisted on a first come, first served basis when it is safe to do so.
The Boca Grande Fire Department is NOT A SHELTER OR A SAFE HAVEN. Please make arrangements for evacuations.
- Own property on the island
- Provide a copy of the lease for island property, listing the name of the person requesting the pass as a tenant /or have the landlord request the passes
- Provide proof such as utility bill, property tax bill, etc. indicating island address
- Show valid drivers license
- Must own/manage a business with a physical address on the island
- Provide business license with island address
- Owner/manager must show valid drivers license
- Passes will be issued to businesses and/or employers for their key employees. A list of employees shall be submitted to BGFD and passes will be issued to the employer.
- The business owner/property owner is accountable for the pass and the person to whom it is issued
- Passes should be issued only in the event of a storm, and returned to the employer after the storm.
- Obtain a pass from your employer or the property owner
- If working for multiple employers/property owners, having one pass from each zone will suffice
For questions regarding hurricane passes, emergency preparedness and evacuation, please contact the Boca Grande Fire Department at 941 964-2908.