Pictured from left to right are Assistant Fire Chiefs Anthony Ortiz and Michael Alsup, Fire Chief Shane Alexander, and Firefighters Rasheed Steward and Isabel Truman.

(OCALA, Fla.) Sept. 21, 2018 – Ocala Fire Rescue welcomed two firefighters to the department during a pinning ceremony held at City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave., Friday, Sept. 21.

Undergoing a demanding hiring process and a two week training period, Firefighters Rasheed Steward and Isabel Truman successfully completed the City of Ocala fire department’s candidate testing process. In celebration, a pinning ceremony was held. With family members and uniformed personnel as witnesses Firefighters Steward and Truman recited the oath cementing their commitment to serving this community, making their employment official.

The ceremony was preceded by a presentation of two Heart Saver awards. The awards were presented on behalf of the American Heart Association to Ocala Police Department Officers Shelby O’Grady and Josh Warner for their life saving actions during an emergency on Interstate 75, Tuesday, Sept. 4. Captain Brandi DuCoeur was also recognized for her recent promotion from Fire Equipment Operator to Captain/Inspector.

For more information, please contact Ocala Fire Rescue at 352-629-8306.

The Active Shooter Training Lunch & Learn was hosted by the Lady Lake Library and presented by the Lady Lake Police Department. It was held at the Lady Lake Library September 27. The goal was to learn to recognize potential workplace violence indicators and know what to do and how to handle yourself before you’re in an active shooter situation. It was very informative. Thank you Lady Lake Chamber and Lady Lake Police Department.

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(OCALA, Fla.) Sept. 17, 2018 – Ocala Fire Rescue responded to reports of a vehicular accident with rollover, Saturday, Sept. 15 at 3:23 p.m.

Arriving at the corner of SW 10 Street. and Pine Avenue, firefighters encountered an upside down sports utility vehicle (SUV) with passengers in need of extrication, and a minivan nearby. A utility pole taken down during the collision lay on the ground.

Crews assessed the state of the patients, stabilized the SUV and began extrication. A total of four patients were identified and transported to the hospital. Two of the four patients were trauma alerted.

Ocala Police Department and Marion County Fire Rescue also responded.

ARREST MADE IN SUMMERFIELD MURDER INVESTIGATION

MARION COUNTY, Florida (September 26, 2018) – Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Major Crimes detectives have arrested 36-year old Jake Napier (DOB: 06/28/1982) for the murder of Walter Russell Elliott which occurred in July of 2018. During their investigation, MCSO Major Crimes detectives discovered surveillance video that depicted Napier shooting and killing the victim.

On July 28, 2018, at approximately 1:00 p.m., MCSO deputies were called to 5495 Southeast 145 Street in reference to a man being shot and set on fire. Deputies responded and found victim Elliott deceased in a workshop located under a pole barn on the property. MCSO Major Crimes detectives responded and began their investigation. It was later determined that Elliott’s cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head and that his body was set on fire after his death. During their investigation, detectives discovered surveillance cameras in the workshop which captured the murder on camera. The footage showed the victim sitting in a chair at the workshop with Napier and several other witnesses in the room. Continue reading →

FREE English as a Second Language (ESL) classes at First Baptist Church of Ocala, 2801 SE Maricamp Road, Ocala, FL 34471.  Classes begin Wednesday, August 29th, and are held weekly.  All classes begin promptly at 6:00 pm, ending with conversation and refreshments at 7:15 pm. There are 3 levels of classes (beginner, intermediate and advanced) taught by loving & caring instructors.  If needed, there are fun & entertaining programs such as Awana for your children, and child care provisions are available, as well as programs for teens and adults.  Please contact the church office at (352) 629-5683 for more information.

(OCALA, Fla.) August 16, 2018 – Ocala Fire Rescue is proud to present the department’s second annual report to the community, showcasing the milestones, achievements, and progress made in the year 2017.

Molded by the dynamic nature of the fire service and its demands, Ocala Fire Rescue has continuously served this community since 1885. For more than 133 years the department has evolved to satisfy citizen’s needs. The year 2017 was no exception, in fact, it was noteworthy, marking the initiation of construction for Fire Station #7 (completed earlier this year), a rebuilding project, and improved Insurance Service Office (ISO) fire protection rating to Class 2, among other accomplishments. Continue reading →

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