The Villages Public Safety Department (Fire Department) Update

As Fire Chief of The Villages Public Safety Department, I continue to be proud of the professionalism, dedication, and commitment our personnel demonstrate every day while serving this community.

During March 2026, VPSD responded to 2,723 emergency incidents, including nearly 2,000 EMS-related calls. These numbers reflect both the continued growth of our community and the increasing demand placed on our firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, and support staff. Despite the growing call volume, our personnel continue to provide exceptional emergency response and compassionate patient care to the residents and visitors of The Villages.

One example of that commitment occurred on April 18 during a significant structure fire on Horvat Lane. VPSD crews responded quickly, contained the fire, and prevented it from spreading to neighboring homes. Two patients were trauma alerted and airlifted for advanced medical care. Incidents like this highlight the importance of training, teamwork, and rapid emergency response.

The department also continues to see tremendous success with the Mobile Stroke Treatment Unit (MSTU), which remains one of only a few specialized stroke response units operating in the State of Florida. The MSTU brings advanced stroke diagnostics and treatment directly to the patient, significantly reducing the time it takes to begin lifesaving interventions. During March alone, the unit responded to 85 calls and performed multiple acute interventions for stroke patients within our community.

Training and professional development remain a major priority throughout the organization. During March, VPSD personnel completed more than 5,000 combined hours of fire, EMS, and technical rescue training to ensure crews remain prepared to handle the wide variety of emergencies encountered each day.

The first quarter of 2026 also marked the successful clearance of several newly trained paramedics, strengthening the department’s advanced life support capabilities and enhancing the level of emergency medical care available to the community.

While the department experienced several technology-related challenges associated with a recent CAD system transition, VPSD personnel continued responding to emergencies without interruption and remained focused on maintaining service levels throughout the district. The adaptability and professionalism demonstrated by our crews, communications personnel, and support staff throughout those challenges was exceptional.

It is an honor to serve alongside such a dedicated group of professionals. On behalf of everyone at VPSD, thank you for your continued support and trust as we remain committed to protecting life, property, and the safety of The Villages community.

Brian Twiss, Fire Chief