Community Relations and Public Education

North Port Fire Rescue is excited to partner with high school seniors and juniors so that they can learn about the fire service. The program will consist of 15 qualified students and run from September 2025 to May 2026. Classes will be held twice a month from 6-10 p.m.

Students will be taught the history, equipment, and specialties in fire service and become CPR certified. Clear career pathways will be explored including firefighter certifications, EMT coursework, associate degrees, paramedic training programs, and bachelor’s degree programs.

Qualifications:

• Must be a high school student in grades 11 or 12 and maintain full-time enrollment in school.
• Must be a North Port resident.
• Possess a valid high school sport physical.
• Academic standing: 2.5 GPA
• Written permission from a parent or guardian to participate.
• Be willing to learn, a self-starter and able to follow directions under stress.
• Possess appropriate psychomotor skills in order to tie functional knots, roll and deploy hoses or put gear on properly including in sequential order without prompting.
• Possess and maintain a moderate to high degree of physical fitness that is appropriate to physicality of the rigors of firefighting (combination of cardio, stamina, strength and agility).

Application process:

• A complete application must be submitted by May 2, 2025.
• There will be a formal interview for each suitable candidate.
• Candidates will need to complete a physical ability test prior to the start of the program as well as a background check.
• All qualifications listed above must be met.
• Students will be notified of their acceptance on or before August 1, 2025
• A maximum of 15 students will be accepted.

Interested? Fill out the forms below:

NPFR Cadet Application(PDF, 487KB)

Hold-Harmless Form(PDF, 310KB)

Medical Release(PDF, 269KB)

Medical Exam(PDF, 374KB)

Media Release(PDF, 327KB)

Email it along with the required attachments to NPFRCadets@northportfl.gov.

Questions? Email NPFRCadets@northportfl.gov or give us a call at 941-240-8150. 

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 and return to the City of North Port Police Station located at 4980 City Hall Boulevard, North Port, FL 34286.

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.  

The next day of free classes will be Sept. 20 at Station 86, 19955 Preto Blvd.

Class times:

• 10 a.m. 
• 1 p.m.
• 3 p.m. 

Register by calling 941-240-8150.

Each class is limited to 20 participants. Children over the age of 12 are welcome to participate with an attending adult. 

Get American Red Cross CPR/AED/First Aid Certified with North Port Parks & Recreation

If you don't have a smoke detector, or if you are not sure if your detector is working, please call our Administrative Office at 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.

The Sharps Exchange 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 and puncture resistant container. Filled containers can be dropped off and exchanged for a new container at:

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

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

Unwanted prescriptions can be taken to North Port Police Department, 4980 City Hall Blvd., or the North Port Public Safety Building, 19955 Preto Blvd.

District firefighters and administrative staff participate in various community events such as 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 File  of  Life is a nationally recognized program that makes it easy for people to ensure first responders have critical medical information in the event of an emergency.

Vital personal data such as medical conditions, allergies, medications and emergency contacts can be recorded and placed in a highly visible, red magnetic folder on the outside of your refrigerator or in a purse, wallet or backpack. The File of Life lets emergency responders see a quick medical history when the patient is unable to offer one.

The File of Life is beneficial to everyone, regardless of age. Medical emergencies can happen to anyone. Parents may find it especially useful to have their children’s information available when babysitters are present.

The North Port Fire Rescue District offers File of Life kits or replacement pages to residents at no cost. Pick up a kit or replacement page during normal business hours at Fire Station 81, 4980 City Center Blvd., or please call 941-240-8150.

The File of Life kit includes:

• Magnetic refrigerator folder
• Medical card for each person living in the household
• Wallet/purse folder and card
• Outdoor weatherproof door/window decal

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.