About the Lakeland Fire Department The Lakeland Fire Department began as a volunteer force in January of 1909 following three catastrophic fires that destroyed numerous ... See more businesses, houses, hotels, and offices in the downtown area. On August 16, 1916 the City of Lakeland adopted Ordinance Number 201, which specified the organization of a full-time, paid Fire Department. The department has grown to employ 154 personnel. Our department operates from seven stations and an administrative building, with a response area of approximately 80-square miles. We respond to over 19,550 emergency calls a year, with 87 percent of the calls being medical in nature. Our Fire Safety Management Division performs over 3,325 inspections, reviews more than 1,025 construction plans, investigates nearly 100 fires, and presents over 1000 educational programs annually. History was made at the Lakeland Fire Department on December 15, 2003 when the city converted from providing basic emergency medical services to advanced emergency medical services at Station 2. On December 1, 2005 Station 3 began providing advanced emergency medical services with Station 4 converting in January of 2008. This venture, which is a collaborative effort between Polk County Emergency Medical Services (PCEMS) and the Lakeland Fire Department, will provide a higher level of care to the citizens of Lakeland within Station 2�s, Station 3's, and Station 4's coverage areas. The two units at each of these stations now have at least one Paramedic and the necessary medical supplies to provide the same level of care as is provided by PCEMS ambulance crews. However, PCEMS will continue to transport patients.