Fire & Rescue
Broward County commission votes to assume control of county fire rescue
Broward County, Florida — Broward County commissioners voted to move county fire rescue operations from the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) to direct county control, the commission decided on September 23, 2026.
The county plans to allow the current contract with BSO to expire in September 2028 and transition personnel and service obligations during that period. Under the plan, roughly 900 fire rescue employees now working under BSO would become county employees.
The county would also assume responsibility for existing fire rescue service contracts BSO holds with several municipalities, including Dania Beach, Cooper City and Weston. The county has operated a fire rescue contract with the sheriff’s office since 2003.
Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony issued a statement criticizing the commission’s decision, calling it “deeply disappointing” and describing the move as a decision not to renew the county’s contract with Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue. The sheriff’s statement credited BSO leadership with innovations such as whole-blood transfusions and the SWAT Medic program; those comments are attributed to the sheriff’s office.
At this time, the decision is documented as a commission vote and a county transition plan with a target contract end date of September 2028. Specific implementation steps, timelines for employee transfers, and any required bargaining or legal processes were not detailed in the materials provided.
Agencies named in these actions are Broward County government and the Broward Sheriff’s Office.
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