History

In 1998, The Village Center Community Development District (VCCDD) introduced a “Proposal for Improved Public Safety” to provide full-time fire protection services to the growing community and rapidly increasing population. The ultimate goal for this proposal was to reduce response times for emergency service calls and to standardize the level of response within The Villages.

On October 6, 1998, a special meeting of the Board of Supervisors of the VCCDD was held for consideration and approval of the proposal for improved public safety, and with a unanimous vote, the Board authorized staff to move forward, thus leading to the formation of The Villages Public Safety Department (VPSD). VPSD has provided fire protection and emergency medical services to the areas of The Villages since October 1, 1999.

Initially, the Department was comprised of one Station (Station 41- Lake Sumter Landing), one Fire Chief, and 12 Firefighter/Paramedics. VPSD responded to 1,040 calls for service during the first year of operations and the response area covered approximately 3 square miles.

Today, The Villages Public Safety Department has the honor of serving the world’s largest retirement community. Over the past twenty years, the community and population have experienced a tremendous amount of rapid growth. VPSD has expanded in unison with The Villages to ensure that increasing demands are met with no reduction in service. The Department’s coverage area exceeds 55 square miles with over 140,000 residents in three counties (Lake, Sumter, Marion) and five cities (Lady Lake, Wildwood, Coleman, Oxford, Leesburg, Fruitland Park). Although predominately a retirement community, The Villages has three family communities and an A+ charter school system (pre-K through 12th). The Villages Public Safety Department has the honor of protecting a population demographic that spans all ages.

Department Profile

The Village Public Safety Department is a full-service career fire rescue department operating out of nine stations strategically located throughout the community to ensure a rapid response to emergencies.

• 9 Fire Stations
• Over 150 Full-Time Firefighter/EMTs and Firefighter/Paramedics
• 4 - Fire Engines
• 1 - 75’ Aerial Ladder
• 1 - 95’ Tower Ladder
• 1 - Type I (Heavy) Technical Rescue Team (FL-TRT-424)
• 15 - Fully Equipped Ambulance Transport Medic Units (Advanced Life Support)
• 2 - Marine Unit
• 2 - All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Unit
• 2 - Battalion Chiefs per shift (3 shifts)

Services Provided

• Fire Suppression/Fire Protection
• Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
  • Basic Life Support services (EMT)
  • Advanced Life Support (Paramedic) services
  • Ambulance transport
• Technical Rescue
  • Type I (heavy) technical rescue team (FL-TRT-424) Recognized by the State of Florida.
  • VPSD’s Technical Rescue Team is a local, regional, and State asset.
• Operations level Hazardous Materials Response
  (Mutual aid agreements in place for Hazmat Technician level Response with Marion, Sumter, and Lake counties)
• Fire Prevention and Fire Inspections (Including Public Education Events)
• Sponsorship of The Villages Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
• Neighborhood AED Groups (Neighbors Saving Neighbors® program)
• Fire Station Tours
• CPR/AED Classes
• Smoke Detector Program
• Car Seat Installation Program
• Knox Box Program
• Emergency Management/Preparedness

Call Statistics For Fiscal Year 2021-22

Insurance Service Office (ISO) Rating

The Villages Public Safety Department (VPSD) earned the second highest rating available from the Insurance Services Office (ISO) in 2023.

VPSD received a Class 2/2Y rating, which indicates superior fire protection based on the comprehensive evaluation of the department’s apparatus, equipment, station locations, and water supply.

ISO ratings have a significant role in the underwriting process of insurance companies, as the rating information is utilized by most insurance companies to determine insurance policy and coverage information, including policy premiums, for personal or commercial property insurance.

These ratings occur once every 5-years.