What is a fire district?
An independent special fire control district provides fire protection and emergency medical services to one area, governed by its own elected board under Chapter 191 of the Florida Statutes. Many Floridians get fire service from their county or city instead; you only see a fire board on your ballot if you live in an independent fire district.
What the board decides
The board sets the district's budget and tax rate, hires the fire chief, and decides on staffing, stations, trucks and equipment, and contracts, including firefighter union contracts.
Who serves, and how they're elected
Most districts have a five-member board elected in nonpartisan elections at the November general election, to 4-year terms. The seats are numbered 1 to 5. In most districts the numbers don't stand for neighborhoods, so every voter in the district votes for every seat on the ballot; a few older districts do elect by subdistrict.
How it's paid for
Fire districts can levy a property tax. For operations it's capped at 3.75 mills (that is, $3.75 per $1,000 of taxable value) unless voters have approved a higher rate by referendum. Districts can also charge non-ad valorem assessments (a flat fire fee per property, for example), and impact fees on new construction.
Questions to research before you vote
- Look at the district's budget, tax rate and response times, which many districts report each year.
- Check whether any tax or assessment questions are on the ballot alongside the board seats.
- Ask candidates about staffing levels, new stations and how they'd balance service against the tax rate.
Fire districts on the 2026 ballot
Collier County
Lee County
- Alva Fire, Seat 2
- Bonita Springs Fire, Seat 1
- Fort Myers Beach Fire, Seat 1
- Fort Myers Shores Fire, Seat 4
- Iona-McGregor Fire, Seat 1
- North Fort Myers Fire, Seat 1
- North Fort Myers Fire, Seat 3
- North Fort Myers Fire, Seat 5
- South Trail Fire, Seat 5
Manatee County
- East Manatee Fire Rescue - Seat 3
- East Manatee Fire Rescue - Seat 5
- Parrish Fire Dist Seat 1
- West Manatee Fire Dist Seat 2
- West Manatee Fire Dist Seat 3
- West Manatee Fire Dist Seat 4
Pinellas County
- East Lake Tarpon Spec. Fire Cont. Dist. - Seat 2
- Palm Harbor Spec. Fire Cont. & Res. Dist. - Seat 2
- Pinellas Suncoast Fire & Res. Dist. - Seat 2
Santa Rosa County
Walton County
Quick answers
- Who can vote for a fire district board?
- Registered voters who live inside the fire district. In most districts every voter in the district votes for every seat.
- How much can a fire district tax?
- For operations, up to 3.75 mills unless voters have approved more by referendum. Districts may also charge non-ad valorem assessments and impact fees on new construction.
- Are fire district elections partisan?
- No. Fire district board elections are nonpartisan.
- When is the election?
- The general election is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Early voting and mail-ballot deadlines vary by state; check your state or county election office.
- Should I vote for a particular fire district candidate?
- SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Compare the candidates' backgrounds, campaign money and answers to the questions above, and check the district's own budget and minutes.
See something wrong on this page? Report a problem · Corrections