(OCALA, Fla.) Oct. 5, 2020 – Ocala Fire Rescue (OFR) is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) — the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week for more than 90 years —to promote this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen!”

Post Date: 10/05/2020

The campaign works to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe.

According to NFPA, cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries in the United States. Almost half (44%) of reported home fires started in the kitchen. Two-thirds (66%) of home cooking fires start with the ignition of food or other cooking materials.

“We know cooking fires can be prevented,” said Lorraine Carli, NFPA’s vice-president of outreach and advocacy. “Staying in the kitchen, using a timer, and avoiding distractions such as electronics or TV are steps everyone can take to keep families safe in their homes.”

OFR encourages all residents to embrace the 2020 Fire Prevention Week theme.

“The most important step you should take before making a meal is to “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen!” said Fire Chief Shane Alexander. “A cooking fire can grow quickly. I have seen many homes damaged and people injured by fires that could easily have been prevented.”

OFR wants to share safety tips to keep you from having a cooking fire. Continue reading →

(OCALA, Fla.) Oct. 1, 2020 – Ocala Fire Rescue is launching the Ocala Recovery Project (ORP), a complimentary program for addiction rehabilitation.

Post Date: 10/01/2020

Funded by a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) grant and the Marion County Hospital District, the ORP was designed to reduce opiate overdose deaths and dependency. Through a systematic approach comprised of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), outpatient treatment, inpatient treatment, and counseling, the ORP addresses participants’ emotional, psychological, and physiological well-being.

The program aims to help recurring overdose patients, new and expectant mothers suffering from substance dependency, Substance Exposed Newborns (SEN), and anyone ready to begin the path toward recovery.

“Addiction can affect anyone, at any time,” said OFR Captain Jesse Blaire. “With a hands-on approach, including emotional support and comprehensive medical care, we are certain that participants will achieve program success.” Continue reading →

 OCALA, Fla.) Sept. 11, 2020 – Ocala Fire Rescue

(OFR) responded to reports of a fire alarm at Canterbury Circle apartment complex at 7:38 p.m.

OFR Engines 3, 4, and 6, Rescue 3, Squad 7, Battalion Chief 22, and a Safety Officer were dispatched to the call at the 3500 block of SW 38th Terrace

Upon arrival, crews encountered a strong smell of smoke near the unit that triggered the fire alarm. Without residents to facilitate access, firefighters forced entry into the unit. Upon entering, crews found a dog attempting to exit the smoke-filled staircase of the second-floor duplex unit.  The dog was removed and taken to safety.

Engine crews made their way up the stairs to find a fire in the kitchen and an active sprinkler system dousing the flames. The fire was under control by 7:52 p.m. and extinguished by 7:56 p.m.

The sprinkler system was deactivated, and overhaul operations began.

Four people (two second-floor unit residents and two from the first-floor unit) were displaced due to significant water damage. No injuries were reported.The cause of the fire is unknownThe Ocala Police Department, Ocala Electric Utility, and Marion County Fire Rescue also responded.

by TomL

The Ocala Business Leaders speaker Dr. Paul Banerjee was invited by Stacy Edmondson Cruz of Magnolia Family Urgent Care here in Ocala. Probably the most enlightening things was. “There are people who die with COVID-19 and there are people who die from COVID-19!” A person could have Heart trouble or other illnesses and because of their weakened condition they contract  COVID-19 and die of heart failure, how do you count that?   There is a lot of confusion about how it is counted according to some people. They say that if someone die’s of COVID-19 the hospital gets four times more money than if they died with COVID-19 .

Dr. Paul Banerjee is the Medical Director for Polk County Fire Rescue, Polk County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team, Dr. Banerjee is board certified in Emergency Medicine and is an Associate Professor in Emergency Medicine at the University of Central Florida School of Medicine, Mercer University School of Medicine and the University of South Florida School of Medicine. Dr. Banerjee was an EMS 10, 2017 Innovator of the year and the State of Florida Medical Director of the year in 2012. Dr Banerjee is also a member of the Metropolitan Collaboration of EMS Medical Directors. Continue reading →

Ocala Business Leader inducted new members last month. Each month the applicants go through a background check and get approved to become member of the OBL Business Club. Some of the people pictured are part of the membership board. From left Connie Ann Pendleton, Kent Poimboeuf, Ross Lehman (new member), Michael Crews (second Category) and Patricia Conrad.

Fort King National Historic Landmark Announces Opening of Archaeology Center

Post Date: 09/23/2020 12:05 PM

OCALA, Fla. (Sept. 23, 2020) – The Fort King National Historic Landmark, 3925 E. Fort King St., announces the opening of its Archaeology Center Friday, Oct. 2.

The Archaeology Center showcases artifacts found on-site at Fort King. It offers education about the archaeological process that took place for the re-creation the Fort King replica and future projects like the blacksmith shop. The Center also features new artifacts that have never been seen by the public and were discovered during the blacksmith shop excavation. New exhibits are planned quarterly.

The Archaeology Center will be open Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 5 p.m. Due to the COVID-19 concerns, capacity will be limited to five visitors at a time and all guests must wear a face covering and adhere to a physical distance of six feet apart. To tour the Archaeology Center, guests should check in at the Fort King Visitor’s Center. Continue reading →

Post Date: 09/18/2020 9:04 AM

OCALA, Fla. (Sept. 18, 2020) – The City of Ocala announces Preston Pooser as the new director for Ocala Recreation and Parks.  After a nationwide recruitment process, Pooser accepted the role of director in August, and began his duties as director of Ocala Recreation and Parks Sept. 8.  Prior to joining the Ocala team, Pooser served as the Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Deerfield Beach, Florida since April 2019.

In his role as director, Pooser is responsible for a department of 65 employees and operations that include management of parks operations and maintenance; central business district maintenance; recreation and aquatic facilities and programming; event services; golf, tennis and other sports facilities; and cultural arts and sciences facilities and programs. Continue reading →

Post Date: 09/15/2020 10:31 AM

OCALA, Fla. (Sept. 15, 2020) – The City of Ocala Public Works department recently received the results from a satisfaction survey that randomly sampled its residential and commercial sanitation customers.  The survey was designed to gather feedback and better understand the opinions of the city’s collection practices.  Survey responses will guide Public Works in its decisions regarding sanitation collections moving forward.

The local survey, by Baldrige Group, LLC, was conducted in early August on behalf of the City of Ocala.  The survey was primarily conducted by telephone, however, an internet-based survey was added this year and included a cross section of businesses and residential customers.

A total of 52 surveys were conducted among Commercial customers, providing an overall satisfaction rating of 98 out of 100 percent; residential customers provided an overall satisfaction rating of 94 out of 100 percent with a total of 92 surveys conducted. The results collected from these surveys are compared to the year-over-year results and help determine what improvements can be made in service delivery.

“We always appreciate our customers willingness to provide feedback on services. These results determine the effectiveness of how we are delivering service to our customers and will serve as a roadmap for how we address sanitation needs for the city over the course of the next business year,” said Darren Park, Public Works Director, City of Ocala. “Seeing the overall satisfaction numbers in the upper percentiles lets us know that we are on the right track as we move forward.”

For more information, please contact the City of Ocala Public Works Department at 352-351-6733.

Post Date: 09/15/2020 2:44 PM

OCALA, Fla. (Sept. 15, 2020) – The Ocala Recreation and Parks Department has made the decision to cancel the Fort King Haunted Trail event Saturday, October 31, due to the continued uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, including restrictions for attending public gatherings in Florida.  This event was scheduled to take place at the Fort King National Historic Landmark, 3925 E Fort King St.

“As a department we are committed to creating safe experiences that families may enjoy together,” said Keifer Calkins, Historic Resource Program Supervisor, City of Ocala. “The decision to cancel a popular event is always difficult, however, public health and safety are the driving factors behind this decision.”

The Fort King National Historic Landmark is open daily seven days a week from sunrise to sunset. The Visitors Center is open on a limited basis, Fridays and Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. In accordance with current recommended health guidelines, only five visitors at a time will be allowed inside the Visitor’s Center. All guests must wear a face covering while inside the Visitor’s Center and adhere to a physical distance of six feet apart.  Continue reading →