(OCALA, FL.) April 12, 2024 – In an enhancement to emergency service response for the residents of Ocala, Ocala Fire Rescue (OFR) announces the addition of Rescue 6 to its fleet. The unit was officially welcomed at Station 6, today. This addition comes at a time as when the Southwest Ocala witnesses a surge in development, including both commercial and residential projects.

The inauguration of Rescue 6 was celebrated with a traditional push-in ceremony, a symbolic gesture that honors firefighting heritage and community service. Starting Monday, April 15, Rescue 6 will be operational and ready to respond to emergencies, bolstering OFR's capacity to provide emergency services in a region experiencing rapid growth.

Fire Chief Clint Welborn emphasized the significance of this expansion, stating that," the addition of Rescue 6 will further facilitate our delivery of rapid, life-saving interventions throughout Ocala.”

For more information about Ocala Fire Rescue and the services it provides, please visit www.ocalafire.org.

###

About Ocala Fire Rescue: Established in 1885, Ocala Fire Rescue (OFR) is a non-transport ALS department with seven fire stations that caters to a population of over 63,000 people. This number nearly doubles during peak traffic hours due to the numerous state roads and interstate exits extending across the county seat.

OFR boasts 154 employees, with 137 dedicated to emergency response. In 2023, OFR responded to over 26,000 service calls within our 47 square-mile response area, covering both city limits and unincorporated regions. Ocala Fire Rescue offers a comprehensive array of services, including technical rescue, fire prevention, community education, fire code enforcement, fire investigation, and aircraft rescue and firefighting, in addition to fire suppression and emergency medical response.