Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Secures $847 Million FY2026 Budget for Vast Service Area

Palm Beach County Fire Rescue (PBCFR) continues to serve a vast area of Palm Beach County, providing a wide range of emergency and community services. The department's Fiscal Year 2026 (FY2026) budget stands at $847 million, covering all operating funds, with a millage rate set at 3.4581 mills.

PBCFR provides essential services including fire protection, emergency medical services, hazardous materials mitigation, aircraft firefighting, and ocean rescue. It also handles 9-1-1 dispatching and emergency management for a significant portion of the county. These services are crucial for the safety and well-being of residents across the region.

The department serves a population of 976,900 within its direct jurisdiction. It also dispatches for an additional 371,573 residents, extending its reach to a total of 1,348,473 people. PBCFR covers 1,769 square land miles, encompassing unincorporated Palm Beach County and 19 municipalities. These municipalities include Belle Glade, Cloud Lake, Glen Ridge, Haverhill, Jupiter, Juno Beach, Lake Clarke Shores, Lake Park, Lake Worth Beach, Lantana, Loxahatchee Groves, Manalapan, Pahokee, Palm Springs, Royal Palm Beach, South Bay, South Palm Beach, Wellington, and Westlake.

Beyond its direct service area, PBCFR provides dispatch services for 13 additional municipalities. These include Atlantis, Delray Beach, Greenacres, Gulf Stream, Highland Beach, Jupiter Inlet Colony, Mangonia Park, North Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Palm Beach Shores, Riviera Beach, Tequesta, and West Palm Beach.

The department maintains 2,057 full-time budgeted positions to manage its extensive operations. In addition to emergency response, PBCFR engages in various community initiatives. These include Public Education, Inspections, Investigations, Plans Review, Community Assistance, and Mobile Integrated Health programs. These initiatives aim to prevent emergencies and promote public safety through proactive measures and community outreach.

The FY2026 Fact Sheet, which details these figures, was updated on January 29, 2026.