Community Relations and Public Education

The Citizens Public Safety Academy is a 13 week program to allow community members insight into the workings of the North Port Police Department and North Port Fire Rescue. During the CPSA experience, participants will learn about and participate in training, Investigations, fire safety, CPR, firearms, TASER, defensive tactics, fire extinguisher use and fire apparatus deployment.

To apply to the Citizens Public Safety Academy please complete the Citizens Public Safety Academy Application(PDF, 206KB) and return to the City of North Port Police Station located at 4980 City Hall Boulevard, North Port, FL 34286. You can also call Ivette Barnes at (941) 429-7339 or email ibarnes@northportpd.com for questions or to submit forms online.

2020 students that have applied in 2020 do not need to submit form (only new students).

North Port Fire Rescue offers free hands only CPR classes to city residents. The American Heart association (AHA) says hands-only CPR is “as effective in the first few minutes as conventional CPR for cardiac arrest at home, at work or in public.” Hands-only CPR refers to continuous chest compressions without rescue breaths.  

North Port Fire Rescue will be offering 16 classes a year. Each class is approximately 2 hours in length. Classes will be held at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on the dates listed below. Each class is limited to 20 participants. Children over the age of 12 are welcome to participate with an attending adult. 

• Oct. 14, 2023 
• Jan.13, 2024 
• April 13, 2024 
• July 10, 2024 
• Oct. 12, 2024 

Please call 941-240-8150 to reserve your spot today! All classes are held at North Port Fire Rescue Station 86, 19955 Preto Blvd, Venice, FL 34293.  

If you don't have a smoke detector, or if you are not sure if your detector is working, please call our Administrative Office (941-240-8150). District personnel will schedule a free smoke detector(s) inspection, check to see if your smoke detector is working properly and, if needed, replace the batteries.

This program allows residents to safely and easily dispose of their used household hypodermic needles, syringes or lancets, otherwise known as sharps. Sharps must be put in an approved rigid, leak proof, puncture resistant container. Filled containers are dropped-off and exchanged for a new container at:

• Station 81, 4980 City Center Boulevard
• Station 82, 5650 North Port Boulevard
• Station 83, 3601 E. Price Boulevard
• Station 84, 1350 Citizens Parkway
• Station 85, 1308 N. Biscayne Drive
• Station 86, 19955 Preto Boulevard

There is no cost for this program. Call us for more information.

District firefighters and administrative staff participate in various community events such as Kids' Festivals, parades and Expos. District personnel are often called on to speak to clubs and other groups. If you are interested in scheduling firefighters and equipment for a community event, please call (941) 240-8150.

Children and adults are always welcome to tour our stations. For groups of 10 or more, please call (941) 240-8150 to schedule an appointment. Fire safety information is incorporated into the tour. Organizations such as scout troops tour our stations on a regular basis.

The North Port Fire Rescue District has joined efforts with five local hospitals to ensure the best of care to our residents. Donations from Peace River Regional Medical Center, Englewood Community Hospital, Venice Regional Medical Center, Sarasota Memorial Hospital and Fawcett Memorial Hospital have been used on this joint venture to provide “File For Life” to interested residents of North Port.

The program is free and easy to use. Simply fill out the information sheet, place it in the pouch provided, and attach it to the front of your refrigerator. Then place the red “dots” provided on the front and back doors of your home. The red dots will notify the first responders that your “File For Life” is filled out and on your refrigerator and is to be taken along to the hospital if you are transported. The hospital personnel will be able to utilize this information as well. It will assist in getting you the best care quickly, as medications, allergies and other medical information is included. Also included will be names and numbers of family and friends to be notified should the need arise.

Education is the key to a successful program. Residents must keep their information up to date for this program to work effectively and anytime there is a change in your medical condition or medications, an update must be done on the form inside your pouch. You can download a replacement page(PDF, 99KB), fold it in half, and cut along the center of the page.

Files are available at all North Port pharmacies, City Hall front desk and at any of the five Fire Stations within North Port – so every time your medications change, you should update your “File For Life.”

If you have questions or would like a presentation to groups or homeowners associations within the City, please call North Port Fire Rescue at (941) 240-8150.

The United States Fire Administration (USFA), an organizational unit within the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), produces a number of videos on fire safety. View their Fire Safety videos on YouTube.