Jacksonville adds fireboat for added fire coverage on lake

by Andrew Lugo Jacksonville Communications Director
Members of the Jacksonville Fire Department train with the department’s new fireboat on Lake Jacksonville. Members of the Jacksonville Fire Department train with the department’s new fireboat on Lake Jacksonville.

The city of Jacksonville has purchased a new fireboat, enabling the city to provide fire protection and rescue operations at Lake Jacksonville, which is in city limits. The city was previously limited in capability to provide these services.

The boat, which was purchased through an interlocal agreement with the City of Grand Prairie, Texas is a 24-foot 2011 Harbor Guard Fire Hawk. The firefighting nozzle on the front of the boat is fed by a 1,500 gallon-per-minute pump underneath.

“The Fire Department is excited to have this newest piece of equipment,” Fire Chief Keith Fortner said. “We are continuously evaluating how to close the gaps of potentially unprotected areas within our city, and now we have the ability to reach boat houses with fire suppression and provide an overall safer environment.”

City Manager Greg Smith said purchasing the boat was a priority.

“Lake Jacksonville is among the City’s biggest assets,” Smith said. “This boat will provide additional public safety services to our residents and many visitors.”

The Jacksonville Fire Department is currently training with the boat, and a dedicated crew of firefighters will be on patrol with the boat this Labor Day weekend. Moving forward the crew will be patrolling the lake with the boat on weekends and holidays.