Formation of the Immokalee Fire Control District

The Immokalee Fire Control District is an Independent Special Taxing District established by an act of the Florida Legislature in 1955 (Chapter 55-30666 Laws of Florida), with the latest revision to the District’s codification included in Chapter 2000-363 Laws of Florida and signed by the Governor into law on May 22, 2000, and operating under the authority of Chapters 163, 189, 191 and 633 Laws of Florida.

The legislation created a fire control and rescue district covering 234 square miles of Collier County, Florida. The purpose of the District is to provide fire protection and prevention services, establish and maintain emergency medical and rescue response services, and acquire and maintain firefighting, rescue, medical, transport, and other emergency equipment.

The following was transcribed from the original letter written by Mr. Jack Whisnant:

In the early days of Immokalee, a fire was usually a complete disaster to whatever it struck, be it home business, barn, packing house or whatever. The nearest available fire departments were located in LaBelle, twenty-five miles to the north, and Fort Myers, thirty-five miles to the west.

In the first part of 1950, some Immokalee men; Lonnie Curry, Fred Edentielo, Joe Brown, and several others, flew over to Belle Glade, where they met with a fire marshal to obtain information on acquiring fire protection equipment for Immokalee, and how to form a fire department. Some short while later, formation of the fire department was discussed at a Lions Club meeting. Donations were pledged throughout town to assist in purchasing equipment and interest built up, but soon faded as no monies materialized and no action was achieved.

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