Regional fire rescue network grows as Broward County integrates more agencies into unified response system
Broward County, Florida – In Broward County, a growing network of fire rescue agencies is now operating with a shared digital backbone designed to sharpen emergency response and strengthen coordination across jurisdictional lines.
County officials announced that seven additional departments have been integrated into the First Due Regional Pre-Fire Planning System, expanding participation to a total of 14 agencies.
This latest step builds on a transition that took shape in November 2024, when the County’s Office of Regional Communications and Technology assumed full responsibility for the system’s contracts, maintenance, and long-term support.
That shift centralized oversight and ensured that the platform could evolve into a dependable, countywide resource for first responders.
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With the expansion, newly onboarded departments, including Hollywood, Lauderhill, Lighthouse Point, Margate, North Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, and Pembroke Pines Fire Rescue, now operate within the same system as earlier participants such as Broward Sheriff’s Office Fire Rescue and departments from Davie, Fort Lauderdale, Miramar, Oakland Park, Sunrise, and Tamarac. Together, they form a unified structure that allows crews to approach emergencies with shared intelligence rather than fragmented data.
At the heart of the system is immediate access to detailed pre-incident information.
Firefighters can review building layouts, locate hydrants, identify hazardous materials, and examine occupancy details before or while responding to a call. Integrated GIS mapping layers add another dimension, providing real-time geographic context, from street networks to water sources, all accessible through mobile devices in the field.
This interconnected approach is particularly significant for mutual aid situations, where units from different jurisdictions respond together. By removing information barriers, the platform enables teams to operate with a common understanding, improving both speed and decision-making during critical moments. The cloud-based design ensures that this data remains accessible wherever it is needed, without reliance on fixed infrastructure.
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County leaders view the expansion as a meaningful advancement in public safety strategy. The system supports faster response times and more efficient operations by aligning workflows and resources across agencies. It also equips fire officers with key details, such as hydrant flow rates and structural hazards, upon arrival, enhancing both situational awareness and responder safety.
The initiative is backed by a five-year agreement valued at $1.525 million with Locality Media, Inc., operating as First Due. Initial onboarding costs for existing agencies approached $130,000, with additional investments supporting the inclusion of new departments.
Officials say the broader goal is clear: ensure that every firefighter in Broward County, regardless of jurisdiction, has immediate access to the same critical information when it matters most.
