BROWARD COUNTY, FL - The County's Office of Regional Communications and Technology has successfully onboarded seven additional fire rescue agencies to the County's First Due Regional Pre-Fire Planning System, bringing the total number of participating agencies to 14.

In November 2024, Broward County assumed full contractual, maintenance, and support responsibilities for the First Due system, ensuring centralized administration and long-term sustainability of this critical public safety platform. Since then, the system has been delivering seamless access to building, content, and planning information for structure fire and rescue operations, empowering fire rescue personnel across the County with real-time data for safer and faster emergency response.

This announcement highlights the latest in a series of improvements to the County's Regional Public Safety Communications System. These upgrades are key to connecting first responders as they work to provide timely public safety services to those in need; while also ensuring they have access to mission-critical information.

Newly Onboarded Agencies:

• Hollywood Fire Rescue
• Lauderhill Fire Rescue
• Lighthouse Point Fire Rescue
• Margate Fire Rescue
• North Lauderdale Fire Rescue
• Pompano Beach Fire Rescue
• Pembroke Pines Fire Rescue

These agencies join the original participants, Broward Sheriff's Office Fire Rescue, Davie, Fort Lauderdale, Miramar, Oakland Park, Sunrise, and Tamarac Fire Rescue, creating a unified, Countywide platform for pre-incident planning and operational coordination.

Key Features and Benefits:

• Comprehensive Pre-Incident Data: Access to building diagrams, hydrant locations, hazardous materials, occupancy details, and historical inspection data.
• Advanced Mapping & GIS Integration: ESRI GIS layers for streets, hydrants, water features, parcels, and schools, plus real-time GPS-enabled mobile access.
• Regional Interoperability: Enables mutual aid response units to share data seamlessly across jurisdictional boundaries.
• Cloud-Based Accessibility: Secure, mobile-friendly platform accessible from any internet-enabled device.
• Enhanced Safety: Provides fire officers with hydrant flow rates, hazard types, and structure size upon arrival.

The First Due system introduces a cloud-based, multi-agency solution that supports Broward County's Closest Unit Response initiatives. By enabling interoperability across jurisdictional boundaries, the system provides:

• Faster Response Times: Immediate access to pre-fire plans and GIS-integrated mapping.
• Operational Efficiency: Shared resources and standardized workflows across agencies.

The County's five-year technology agreement with Locality Media, Inc. (d/b/a First Due) totals $1.525 million, covering subscription fees, setup, and support services. Onboarding costs for existing agencies in the first year were nearly $130,000, with additional investments for new agencies as part of the regional expansion.

"This expansion marks a major milestone in our commitment to public safety. By bringing seven new agencies onto the First Due platform, we have enhanced public safety while ensuring that every firefighter in Broward County has access to the tools and information needed to protect our lives and property," said Broward County Mayor Mark Bogen. 

*The Office of Regional Communications and Technology is a service of the Broward County Board of County Commissioners.

March 18, 2026