Department History
In 1973, Tarpon Lake Volunteer Fire Dept. was organized by nine concerned citizens, primarily to protect Windmill Point and Anchorage subdivisions. It was originally operated out of a lean-to located at the intersection of Tarpon Lake Blvd and Anchorage Lane. Original members included Phil English, Dean Walker, Al Knight, Roger Garrett, Bob Timoney, Charles Bedell, Charles Bennett, Tom Jarrell and Mike Nabor. The first Volunteer Fire Chief was Edward "Bud" Pirwitz.
1st Engine - 10/23/73 Purchased a 1945 Dodge from Seminole Park Volunteer Fire Dept. for $250. It had a 500gpm front mount PTO pump. Truck was named "Snoopy".
1974
02/26/74 - Tarpon Lake Volunteer Fire Dept. requested charter from the State of Florida. The nine original founders paid the fees.
03/11/74 - Chartered by the State.
First Rescue call - 14 y/o drowning victim at Hunt's Employee Park on Lake Tarpon; Memorial Day Weekend.
First Structure Fire - 06/22/74 10:00pm mobile home on Old East Lake Rd.
2nd Engine - Donated by the Division of Forestry. Also had a 500gpm front mount PTO pump.
1st Tanker - Donated by McDill Air Force Base. 500 gpm tank with a 250gpm pump.
1975
They now had 15 volunteers and began participating in live training burns.
1976
Purchased 1949 American LaFrance $8,000.
1979
First paid member - Fire Chief Tom Jarrell.
Now have 22 Volunteers and had replaced all of the original trucks.
Purchased first new truck, an Emergency-One 250gpm Rescue Pumper.
1980
Dedicated Station 57, built on land donated by the Lansbrook Corp.. Cost was $130,000. Also hired first full time firefighter- Bill Edling Sr.
Purchased a 1978 Mack for $49,519.00.
Purchased first new Engine from Emergency-One.
Purchased first BLS Ambulance through donations raised in the community.
1981
Hired 3 more personnel; Tom May, Dave Anthony, and Howard Boehm.
1982
Began providing ALS Service (Paramedics)
5/25/82 Purchased Chevy Ambulance from Pinellas County.
10/82 Fire Chief Robert Lani hired.
1983
Changed name from Tarpon Lake Volunteer Fire Dept to: East Lake Fire & Rescue Inc.
1984
Dissolved Volunteers .
Purchased 2nd new Engine from Emergency-One.
1986
Fire Chief Ronald W. Taylor hired.
1989
"The eagle has landed" takes on new meaning for East Lake Fire & Rescue as development of its new fire station is halted due to an eagle building a nest approx. 200ft from the proposed building site.
1992
Purchased first ladder truck from E-ONE 75' T57.
Five new Fire Commissioners now directing department.
1993
Traded in ladder truck.
Purchase 2 - new Engines meeting latest NFPA standards from E-ONE "E57" & "E58".
Opened Station 58 on Keystone Rd This new facility meets latest NFPA and OSHA standards. Building is completely sprinkled, including attic.
1994
Sent 523 "P57" back to E-ONE for refurbishing.
Received a new 4-person enclosed cab.
New hydraulic ladder rack installed and upper compartments added.
1999
Station 56 is opened on East Lake Rd. This facility also meets NFPA and OSHA standards. Building is completely sprinkled.
Purchased Squad from E-ONE "S57".
Purchased new Ford Expedition for District Chiefs "D57".
2000
June 7, 2000 The District's Charter is approved by the Govoner of Florida and Filed in Office of the Secretary of State.
CHARTER - EAST LAKE TARPON SPECIAL FIRE CONTROL DISTRICTJune 20, 2000 - www.eastlakefirerescue.com created by Lt. Bill Edling.
2000 - September 5, 2000 - East Lake Fire & Rescue becomes a "Special Independent Fire District" by a 59.75% YES Vote!
December 31, 2000 - Fire Chief Ron Taylor retires.
Assistant Chief Jeff Parks assumes Acting Fire Chief position.
2001
October 1, 2001 - Jeffrey S. Parks promoted to Fire Chief.
December 26, 2001 - East Lake Fire & Rescue Board of Commissioners voted to return the Daytona Squad to E-One; A new Squad will soon be ordered.
2002
September 11, 2002 - East Lake Fire & Rescue debuts new Honor Guard consisting of 8 members: Lt/P Bill Edling, Lt/P Scott McLain, DE/E Bill Figuredo, DE/P Greg Godwin, FF/P Mark Calderini, FF/P Jim Campbell, FF/P Joe Fuller and FF/E Megan Gray.
September 11, 2002 - East Lake Fire & Rescue debuts new patch.
2003
February 7, 2003 - Saulsbury Rescue Pumper Delivered (S57).
February - ELFR purchases 3 thermal imaging cameras: click here for full story.
October - Took delivery of 20 new Survivair SCBAs: click here for full story.
December - ELFR takes delivery of 2 more Saulsbury Rescue Pumpers (E56 + E58).
2005
January 1, 2005 - Fire Chief Jeffrey S. Parks retires.
June - Installed laptops in front line units.
June 30, 2005 - Fire Chief Jeff Malzone is appointed.
October 2005 - Pinellas County leases East Lake Fire Rescue a 2000 gallon Water Truck.
2006
January 30, 2006 - ELFR takes delivery of a new Firematics B.R.A.T. Brush Truck.
October 3, 2006 - DE/Paramedic: Howard Boehm becomes the first member to officially qualify and retire from East Lake Fire Rescue after 25 years of service.
2006- Marianne is hired as the Office Administrator.
2007
December 11, 2007 Old Station 57 torn down.
2008
New Station 57 erected.
2009
July 12, 2009 - 2009 E-one placed in-service as the new E56.
2011
June 1, 2011 - Tom Jamison promoted to Fire Chief.
2012
October 2012 - Jennifer Spicher was hired as the Financial Administrator.
2015
3 New Pierce state of the art Fire Engines Placed in Service.
Water Extrication Team (WET) Placed in service.
2016
January 2016- The first Fire and Life Safety Educator was hired for the district: Claudia Hernandez.
February 2016- Marianne, the Office Administrator, retires after 10 years of service. Katy Cunningham is hired as the new Offie Administrator.
2021
June 2021 -Chief Tom Jamison retires.
June 2021 - Jason Gennaro was promoted to Fire Chief. Greg Godwin and Mike Porch were promoted to Deputy Chiefs. Scott McLain and Jason Letzring were promoted to Division Chiefs.