Brevard County Fire Rescue and Patrick Space Force Base Combining Forces to Provide Mutual Aid

resolves issue that’s been ongoing since “prior to a man having first set foot on the moon”

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Brevard County Fire Rescue and Patrick Space Force Base are combining forces to provide mutual aid on fire and emergency response calls to residents of unincorporated south Cocoa Beach response zones.

An interlocal agreement signing ceremony on Wednesday sealed the deal and, according to District 2 Brevard County Commissioner Bryan Lober, resolves an issue that’s been ongoing since “prior to a man having first set foot on the moon.”

“This agreement results in automatic aid coverage for fire calls to the area of Snug Harbor,” Lober said.

“Frankly, this agreement goes toward the core governmental obligation every level of government has to its constituents of providing for public safety. This agreement also presents an opportunity; an opportunity to better integrate Patrick Space Force Base into the local community.”

The signing ceremony was attended by members of Patrick Space Force Base, Brevard County Fire Rescue, and Brevard County Public Safety.

Lober and Col. Ed Marshall, Space Launch Delta Vice Wing Commander, signed the agreement, with Marshall calling it a “great partnership” and a great opportunity to “continue building relationships.”

The mutual aid agreement received unanimous support from the Brevard County Board of County Commissioners during its regular meeting Tuesday, Aug. 3.

The agreement allows either entity to provide mutual aid, including fire protection equipment and personnel to dispatch on calls within the jurisdiction of Patrick Space Force Base or in unincorporated areas of Cocoa Beach.

Under the agreement, Patrick Space Force Base agrees to automatically respond to provide fire protection, and Brevard County Fire Rescue agrees to automatically respond to fire protection within the installation or base at PSFB.

The agreement also lays out how Air Force military and civilian personnel from both entities would handle jurisdiction on calls and which authorities would be in command once dispatched to the scene. Training is also a key component.

“Integrating and being involved in the community not only stands to improve quality of life but it also opens a number of opportunities that might well otherwise go unnoticed,” Lober said of the County’s growing relationship with Patrick Space Force Base.

“Because, while largely autonomous, Patrick is an integral part of Brevard County and the folks here are valued and should know that they are valued. Whether it’s a joint training opportunity or whether it’s simply knowing who to go to when you need assistance with something outside of your wheelhouse, it can help.”

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