The Miami Beach Fire Department, led by Chief Digna Abello—the first woman to serve as Fire Chief in Miami‑Dade County—operates from four strategically located fire stations throughout the city and is headquartered at 2300 Pine Tree Drive  . It provides an extensive suite of services including fire suppression and rescue, advanced life-support EMS, ocean/beach rescue with six “gator unit” vessels for specialized maritime emergencies , disaster preparedness, public safety communications (911 dispatch), fire prevention and inspection, and public education. MBFD also supports youth engagement through its Cadet Program (Post 1510) and community emergency training via the CERT program, led by the Division of Emergency Management . Educational offerings are robust, including in‑school fire safety, business fire drills, senior home safety, car seat inspections, and the Safe Haven for Newborns program, all free and available by appointment . Chief Abello, with 19 years of service, managed critical COVID vaccination efforts for over 13,000 vulnerable residents, oversaw two ISO Class 1 accreditations (a distinction held by ~1% of U.S. fire agencies) , and was recently selected for the prestigious 2025 Fire Service Executive Development Institute . MBFD continues to advance community resilience through active partnerships with homeowners associations, nonprofits, faith groups, and local businesses .
⸻
🏠 Station Locations & Special Units
• 4 Citywide Stations: Located to ensure quick response times across Miami Beach .
• Ocean/Beach Rescue “Gator Units”: Six specialized rapid-response watercraft for marine emergencies .
• Public Safety Communications Division: Operates 24/7 dispatch to coordinate all fire, rescue, and ocean-based responses .
🚨 Special Units
Technical Rescue Team
FLUSAR team
Lite hazmat team
• Career Firefighters & Paramedics with advanced training in structural firefighting, EMS, urban/search and rescue operations.
• CERT (Community Emergency Response Team): Equips residents, nonprofits, businesses, and HOAs to assist during emergencies .
📚 Community Programs
• Fire Safety Education: Includes school visits, business safety plans, senior living facility training, fire extinguisher drills, and car-seat safety checks .
• Safe Haven for Newborns: MBFD participates in an anonymous newborn surrender initiative, available 24/7 .
• CERT Training: Free in-class and hands-on emergency-response instruction hosted by MBFD ().
• Community Outreach & Partnerships: MBFD regularly collaborates with civic groups, faith-based organizations, nonprofits, and local businesses to enhance disaster preparedness
