On behalf of the dedicated men and women of the East Manatee Fire Rescue District, I would like to welcome you to our website. I hope that it will be informative and helpful to you.
When I began as Chief of East Manatee Fire Rescue District in 2017, we embarked with an enhanced focus on three areas – facilities/equipment, personnel, and level of service. Since then, we have upgraded our equipment and technology, enhanced our communications and professionalism, reduced our response times, and improved our effectiveness on arrival.
In June 2020, we opened Station 7 at 14500 Covenant Way in the area of University Parkway and Lorraine Road serving the neighborhoods of the Lake Club, Lakewood Ranch Country Club, and Country Club East. This station is dedicated to our first full-time Fire Chief, Henry Sheffield, who passed away in December 2019. You can read more about this wonderful man and great public servant on our Memorial page.
On April 19th, 2021, we opened Station 8 at 6975 Bourneside Boulevard to serve the communities along State Road 70 of Dell Webb, Polo Run, Lakewood National, Panther Ridge, the Concessions, and several other subdivisions currently under development in the 34211 zip code.
In addition, Station 8 serves as the headquarters of an additional Battalion Chief established in 2021 to cover the area of the District east of Lorraine Road to the county line.
On October 1, 2021, we merged in the Myakka City Fire Control District and incorporated their 230 square mile area to the east of us along with 2 fire stations and 10 personnel into our operations.
September 28 – 29, 2022, Hurricane Ian passed to the east of the District affecting the Myakka area. The subsequent aftermath of the historical flooding of the Myakka River in October created the worst natural disaster in Myakka City history.
Already in the works prior to the Ian, East Manatee Station 11 in Myakka City on Wauchula Road would be replaced with hurricane-resilient building. This was completed in 2024, but before we could officially open the station, were forced to utilize the not quite completed building during 2 hurricanes that greatly affected the District, the County, and the State.
First, Tropical Storm Debby created unprecedented flooding along the Braden River on August 5, 2024. This was the busiest day in the District’s history with over 100 water-related calls for assistance answered on that day. Hurricane Helene on September 26 and 27 and Hurricane Milton on October 9 and 10 followed causing some damage throughout the District and wide-spread damage along our coast.
Using what we learned from storms over the past few years, we have improved our capabilities to respond to such disasters by acquiring high-water transport vehicles and swift water rescue boats. In addition, we have trained the majority of our Technical Rescue Team in swift water rescue.
We continue to grow responsibly with the communities we serve and now employee 129 firefighters and 22 staff members. One of our new positions on staff is a fleet mechanic who maintains over 70 vehicles, vessels, and apparatus necessary to provide our high level of service.
In 2025, we began the process of planning and designing our 11th fire station (Station 9) at Dam Road and State Road 64 located in the fast-growing northeast area of Lakewood Ranch. Construction should start by May 2026, and we expect to open this facility by spring of 2027.
In January, I announced to the Board my intent to retire at the end of the year and encouraged them to begin the process of replacing me. They acted quickly and selected Deputy Chief Paul Wren to be the next Fire Chief. I am excited to have this rare privilege of mentoring for the rest of the year this very talented and skilled young man to be the next Fire Chief. With Chief Wren and the extraordinary staff that we have, East Manatee will be in good hands for years to come.
The East Manatee Fire Rescue District stands ready to serve our communities from the Braden River to Lakewood Ranch to Myakka City and all areas in between.
I hope you will let me know how we are doing. Please email me with any comments, suggestions, or concerns to Admin@emfr.org.
Sincerely,
Lee Whitehurst
Fire Chief