Media Releases

You can view and download media releases published by the department here. The department has been archiving its media releases on its website since 2013. 

2022

June 02, 2022 - Vehicle Accident with Entrapment at Lkld Hills Blvd and E Bella Vista

May 27, 2022 - Fire at 1631 Blossom Cir E

May 22, 2022 - Fire at 1207 Walnut St

May 13, 2022 - Structure Fire at 1823 Bloom Dr

March 16, 2022 - Hazardous Condition at Sleep Inn & Suites Lakeland

March 01, 2022 - Lakeland Firefighter SPCA Rescued Pets Calendar Returns

January 12, 2022 - Lakeland Linder International Airport Conducts Emergency Exercise

2021

December 30, 2021 - LFD Responds to Building Fire at Lakewood Terrace Apartments

December 08, 2021 - LFD Live Fire Training at Lakeland Linder Airport

October 12, 2021 - LFD Announces New Assistant Chief of Operations

October 07, 2021 - Lakeland Firefighter Returns to Work After Battle with Cancer

September 03, 2021 - Fire at Multi-Family Dwelling on Missouri Ave

September 02, 2021 - Building Fire Mas Verde Mobile Home Estates

August 17, 2021 - Inspector Taylor Riley Earns Certified Fire Protection Specialist Credential

August 13, 2021 - Lightning strike causes fire at Pineberry Street residence

August 04, 2021 - Apartment Fire at 810 E. 1st Street

August 03, 2021 - Building Fire at Sutton Place Apartments

July 22, 2021 - Chief Riley sworn-in as FFCA President

May 31, 2021: Driver Engineer/Paramedic Derek McBrayer receives the Florida Elks Association First Responder of the Year-Firefighter Award

May 24, 2021: Fire at 1544 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue

May 10, 2021: Fire at 925 Clearview Avenue

January 19, 2021: Fire Chief Douglas E. Riley Selected as the 2020 Florida Fire Chief of the Year

January 13, 2021: The Lakeland Fire Department is Looking to Hire the Best Starting January 15

2020

December 30, 2020: Training Center Complex Grand Opening

November 9, 2020: Lakeland's Firefighters Host Annual Toy Drive

October 22, 2020: Support SPCA Florida By Sending Some Holiday Cheer to Loved Ones: New Firefighter and Rescued Pets Greeting Cards Now Available

September 25, 2020: Lakeland Fire Department Lights the Night for Fallen Firefighters: A weeklong reflection to honor firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice.

September 1, 2020: The Lakeland Fire Department Retains Public Protection Classification (PPC) Rating of 1, the Highest Achievable Level of Fire Suppression

August 11, 2020: Lakeland Fire Department Receives Equipment Grant from Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation

July 2, 2020: Safe Alternatives to Fireworks this Fourth of July

June 12, 2020: Lakeland Aero Club Flyover for First Responders 

April 15, 2020: Lakeland Fire Department Hires Five New Firefighters

January 8, 2020: Lakeland Fire Department Hiring January 15-January 30, 2020

2019

November 15, 2019: Season of Giving: Lakeland Fire Department Toy Drive Kicked Off November 14

November 6, 2019: 2020 Rescued Pets Calendar is Available Now

November 4, 2019: LFD Hosts PACE Center for Girls to Expose Young Women to Careers in the Fire Service as Part of its Igniting Change Campaign 

October 4, 2019: Fire Prevention Week Happens October 6 – 12 and LFD Celebrates with Coloring Book Reveal and Truck or Treat

July 30, 2019: Media Release: Two Students Selected for 2019-2020 FOCUS Scholarship Award

July 16, 2019: Welcome Event for the Department's New Engine 51

May 23, 2019: Family of Three Suffers from Smoke Inhalation After Structure Fire

April 9, 2019: Tigertown Chili Throwdown Happens April 11, Teams of Firefighters Competing to Benefit Charity

March 12, 2019: Update: Origin and Cause Determined for Fire at North Lakeland Apartment Building that Displaced Residents of 24 Apartment Units

February 1, 2019: Lakeland Fire Department Hires Ten New Firefighters. Start Monday, February 4.

January 10, 2019: Training to Address Rising Mental Health and Suicide Concerns in the Fire Service

January 4, 2019: Live Fire Training for Firefighters at Lakeland Linder International Airport

2018

December 6, 2018: Fire Displaces Family of Three

November 9. 2018: Season of Giving: Lakeland Fire Department Toy Drive Starts November 14 

November 6, 2018: Lakeland Fire Chief Selected as West Central Regional Director for Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association

October 18, 2018: LFD and LPD Hosting Truck-or-Treat on October 29

October 17, 2018: Hot Holiday Gift for a Good Cause - 2019 Lakeland Firefighter Calendar to Benefit SPCA Florida Now on Sale 

October 17, 2018: Update: More Lakeland Firefighters Sent to Relieve USAR Team 421 Members in Panhandle and Continue Helping in Hurricane Michael Aftermath 

October 15, 2018: Lakeland USAR Team 421 Helping in Hurricane Michael Aftermath Since Oct.10 

October 5, 2018: Protecting Those That Protect You: Cancer Prevention at the Lakeland Fire Department

September 21, 2018: Lakeland Fire Department Awarded Life Safety Achievement Award  

September 4, 2018: Lakeland Fire Department Hiring September 4 - 28, 2018 

July 31, 2018: LFD Aims to Educate Women on Career Potential in the Fire Service

July 16, 2018: LFD Hosts Teen Camp to Expose Youth to Careers in the Fire Service

June 26, 2018: Fire at Senior Living Facility Lake Morton Plaza

June 19, 2018: Fire Inspection Fee Changes Take Effect July 1, 2018; More Equitable for Lakeland Area Businesses

May 17, 2018: Fire Prevention Division Now Offering Extended Hours for Better Customer Service

April 6, 2018: Boots for Literacy Chili Cook-Off Happens April 12; 12 Teams Competing 

March 19, 2018: Lakeland's Firefighters Fill the Boot for MDA

March 5, 2018: Lakeland Fire Department Welcomes Five New Firefighters 

January 13, 2018: Live Fire Training at LAL January 15 - 20, 2018

January 10, 2018: Michael Williams Selected as Assistant Chief of Operations

January 6, 2018: Battalion Chief Michael Williams Selected for National Fire Academy's Executive Fire Officer Program

2017

December 13, 2017: Douglas E. Riley Selected as New Fire Chief of the Lakeland Fire Department

December 6, 2017: Hot Holiday Gift for a Good Cause - 2018 Lakeland Firefighter Calendar to Benefit SPCA Florida

November 27, 2017: Assistant Chief Doug Riley Selected for International Association of Fire Chiefs 2018 Fire Service Executive Development Institute

November 21, 2017: Fire Chief Gary Ballard Retires December 15 After 40 years of Service 

November 7, 2017: Season of Giving. Lakeland Fire Department Toy Drive Starts November 8

November 2, 2017: Lakeland Ranks as City with High Home Fire Risk, The Hartford Pledges Support

October 31, 2017: Now Hiring. LFD Accepting Applications November 1-30, 2017 

October 5, 2017: Open House Happens October 14 to Celebrate Fire Prevention Week

September 14, 2017: Kitchen Fire at 1202 Edgewater Drive. Hurricane Irma Related. 

September 8, 2017: Lakeland Fire Department's Hurricane Irma Response

August 11, 2017: Pediatric Near Drowning. Three-Month-Old Patient 

August 8, 2017: Pediatric Near Drowning in Steeplechase Community

July 19, 2017: LFD Hosts Teen Camp to Expose Diverse Youth to Fire Service Careers

July 13, 2017: Boots for Literacy Cook-Off Happens. 12 Teams of Firefighters Competing. 

July 11, 2017: Partnership Creates PSA Series to Keep Pet Owners and Pets Safe 

July 5, 2017: Safer Money Saving Alternative Rescue Vehicle Put into Service 

July 3, 2017: Celebrate the Fourth of July Safely

May 17, 2017: Brush Fire in Lakeland

May 8, 2017: Hangar Filled with Foam for Live Fire Training 

March 10, 2017: Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery

January 30, 2017: LFD Welcomes 13 New Firefighters 

January 4, 2017: Live Fire Training at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport

2016

December 15, 2016: Photo Opportunity: Toy Drive Toy Delivery to Charities 

November 23, 2016: New Particle Filtering Hoods Being Used by Lakeland Firefighters to Combat Cancer Risk

November 12, 2016 2017: LFD Calendar to Benefit SPCA Florida

November 4, 2016: Season of Giving: Lakeland Fire Department Toy Drive Starts November 7

October 28, 2016: Fire at 1510 Ariana Street Caused by Smoking While Using Medical Oxygen 

September 15, 2016: Hiring Opens September 30 - October 15, 2016

September 7, 2016: Lakeland Public Safety Agencies Team Up to Keep 911 for Emergencies

August 25, 2016: National Award for Lakeland Firefighter

August 11, 2016: Lakeland Firefighters Will Remind Motorist School is Back in Session for 7th Year in a Row

August 10, 2016: LFD Will Celebrate Its Centennial Anniversary with Community Celebration August 13

July 28, 2016: New Pet Oxygen Masks Result of LFD / SPCA Florida  Partnership

June 24, 2016: Lakeland Fire Department to Celebrate Its Centennial with Community Celebration on August 13

June 2, 2016: UPDATE: No Charges Being Filed on 3 Children Involved in Playground Fire at Westside Park

May 22, 2016: Structure Fire at 115 Riggins Street; Displaces 2 Individuals

May 11, 2016: Playground Equipment Destroyed by Fire at Westside Park

April 18, 2016: Lakeland Responders Prepare for the Worst with Disaster Preparedness

April 7, 2016: Firefighter For a Day Experience For Local Boy

April 4, 2016: Department Welcomes Eleven New Firefighters

March 29, 2016: SUN ‘n FUN and Lakeland’s Firefighters Join Forces to Fight Muscular Dystrophy on April 8, 2016

March 22, 2016: Celebrating 100 Years of Service

March 17, 2016: Lakeland Professional Firefighters to Fill the Boot on March 20 at Tigertown

March 9, 2016: Fire Marshal Alfred “Frank” Bass Retires and Fire Marshal Cheryl Edwards Hired in Historic Appointment. Ceremonies to Be Held for Both.

February 12, 2016: Lakeland Linder Regional Airport to Hold Fill-Scale Emergency Exercise; Lakeland Fire Department Participating and Leading Event

January 25, 2016: UPDATE - Structure Fire at Bella Vista Manor. 1 Fatality, 3 Patients Transported

January 24, 2016: Fire at Bella Vista Manor

January 21, 2016: Structure Fire at 1226 Deleon Way. Firefighters save 5 dogs.

January 8, 2016: Live Fire Training at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport 

2015

December 13, 2015: Firefighters Respond to Condominium Fire. Rescue One from Burning Unit. Find Deceased Person in Neighboring Unit.

December 7, 2015: Partnership Calendar For Sale to Help Lakeland's Rescued Animals

December 2, 2015: Commemorative Firefighter Sculpture to be Revealed December 8. All are Invited. (Document under ADA review)

November 30, 2015: The Lakeland Fire Department Kicks Off Toy Drive for Lakeland's Children in Need

November 23, 2015: Lakeland Firefighters & American Red Cross Volunteers Will Install Smoke Alarms November 24

November 16, 2015: Lakeland Receives New Fire Protection Rating; the Highest Achievable Level

November 11, 2015: Fire Fatality at Citrus Center Colony

September 22, 2015: LFD is Sponsoring Communi-Tea and Coffee events at all of its Stations to Mark Fire Safety Week

August 26, 2015: Lakeland Fire Department Responds to Commercial Building Fire

August 24, 2015: Lakeland Firefighters Respond to Hazardous Materials Leak, Building Evacuated

August 20, 2015: Structure Fire: 4 Patients Transported. 1 Dog Received Care Through LFD/SPCA Partnership; First To Do So

August 17, 2015: Lakeland Firefighters Will Remind Motorist School is Back in Session

July 27, 2015: Lakeland Fire Department and SPCA Florida Launch Partnership

July 23, 2015: Fire Chief Gary Ballard is President of the Florida Fire Chiefs Association

July 10, 2015: Rescue Boat Ceremony @  Lake Mirror

June 30, 2015: The Lakeland Fire Department Reminds You to Celebrate Independence Day Safely

June 7, 2015: Two Structure Fires in 1 1/2 Time Frame

May 27, 2015: Charging an Electric Golf Cart May Pose Unexpected Health Hazards

March 12, 2015: Vehicle Extrication on Kathleen Road Due. Wet Road Conditions a Possible Factor

March 9, 2015: Presenting the Department’s First Full Length Video Production: Fully Involved: What it means to be a Lakeland Firefighter

January 30, 2015: Lakeland Firefighters Will Be Hitting the Streets February 2 to Install Smoke Alarms Where Needed Most

January 22, 2015 Plane Crash With Two Onboard Leads to Structure Fire; Explosive Chemicals Inside

January 5, 2015 Bringing in the New Year with a New Fire Station

2014

October 27, 2014: Kitchen Fire Displaces Two; Injures One

September 19, 2014: New Fire Engine Exhibit to be Revealed at Explorations V Children’s Museum

September 2, 2014: Early Morning Blaze

August 20, 2014: LFD is Proud to Announce its Fire-Service Opportunity and Career for Underprivileged Students Scholarship Program (F.O.C.U.S.)

August 13, 2014: Lakeland Firefighters Will Remind Motorist School is Back in Session

July 31, 2014: Emergency Medical Care in Lakeland Just Got Even Better

July 21, 2014: Commercial Structure Fire at Rubber Roller Manufacturer Finzer Roller

May 29, 2014: Lakeland Fire Department Now Offering Advanced Life Support on All Units

May 14, 2013: Injured Bald Eagle Rescued in South Lakeland

April 1, 2014: Lakeland Fire Department is Accepting Applications to Fill 12 Firefighter Positions

March 14, 2014: Firefighters Respond to Residential Fire Early Friday Morning

March 2, 2014: LFD Responds to Injured Man After Smoking While Using Medical Oxygen

January 23, 2014: Lakeland Fire Department Hires 9 New Firefighters

January 9, 2014: Lakeland Receives Improved Fire Protection Score

2013

December 2, 2013: Lakeland Firefighters Respond to Fires at North Lakeland Walmart

November 11, 2013: Lakeland Fire Department Responds to Fire at Gilmore Terrace Apartments Sunday Morning, One Resident Injured

November 8, 2013: Lakeland Firefighters Respond to Lake Bentley Shores Condominium Fire, Four Injured, Including One Firefighter

October 4, 2013: Lakeland Firefighters Respond to Home Fire near Handley Park

September 30, 2013: Lakeland Fire Department’s Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Team Provide Structural Support to Area Home after Vehicle Crashes into It

September 5, 2013: Lakeland Fire Department Sponsors Fire Prevention Week and 8th Annual Open House en Español

September 5, 2013: Lakeland Fire Department Sponsors Fire Prevention Week and 8th Annual Open House to Remind Residents to ‘Prevent Kitchen Fires’

September 5, 2013: Bells Will Ring in Lakeland for 3rd Annual Bells Across America for Fallen Firefighters

August 22, 2013: Trapped Motorist on Interstate-4 Freed by Lakeland Firefighters

August 16, 2013: Structure Fire Near LRMC

August 13, 2013: Elderly Lakeland Resident Hospitalized After Kitchen Fire in Home

August 12, 2013: Lakeland Firefighters Hit the Streets to Remind Motorists that School is Back in Session