With less than a year until Jupiter Fire Rescue Department officially begins serving residents, local officials say the ambitious project remains firmly on schedule and enthusiasm within the department is higher than ever.
Deputy Chief of Operations Steve Shaw delivered a comprehensive update at Tuesday’s Town Council meeting, outlining the progress on hiring, training, equipment procurement, and construction of the town’s two new fire stations at Cinquez Park and Piatt Place. Both facilities held “topping-off” ceremonies this month, marking a major milestone as the structures reach full height.
“We are counting down the months until Jupiter Fire Rescue begins providing fire and emergency medical services to the community,” Shaw said. “We remain on schedule and on budget.”
Record Interest in Joining the New Department
One of the most striking updates came from the department’s recruiting efforts. According to Shaw, more than 1,000 individuals have submitted interest forms expressing a desire to work for Jupiter Fire Rescue, a strong showing for a department not even in operation yet.
Over the next six months, the town will hire 98 new personnel, including:
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12 Fire Rescue Captains
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12 Lieutenants
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12 Driver Engineers
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54 Firefighters/Paramedics or Firefighter/EMTs
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Administrative support staff
Leadership positions including battalion chiefs and specialized captains are already being filled, with several new hires set to begin this winter.
“We’ve assembled a great team so far,” Shaw said. “People are eager to be part of Jupiter Fire Rescue.”
Two-Phase Training Program Begins This Spring
The department plans an extensive onboarding and training structure to prepare new hires before the October 1, 2026 service takeover from Palm Beach County Fire Rescue.
Phase 1 will focus on:
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Equipment training
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Department culture and leadership development
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Essential firehouse operations
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Medical equipment familiarization
Phase 2 will shift to scenario-based, real-world training, including joint exercises with the Jupiter Police Department and neighboring agencies.
With recruits coming from a range of backgrounds—some right out of the academy and others with decades of experience, Shaw emphasized the need to “start from the basics” so every firefighter is aligned on Jupiter’s standards.
“This is going to be their second family,” he said. “We’re bringing everyone together and teaching them the Jupiter way.”
Equipment Deliveries and Station Openings Scheduled Through 2026
The buildout of Jupiter’s new fire service includes significant new apparatus and facilities:
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Ambulances arrive in January 2026
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Fire engines delivered in April
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Squad engine arrives soon after
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Ladder truck slated for delivery in May
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Stations fully operational by May 2026
A temporary station recently approved for Abacoa Community Park will support training and early operations until Station 16 is transitioned from the county.
By June 2026, all operational personnel will be on board.
Town Leaders Praise Progress
Council members commended the fire rescue team and town staff, noting that an undertaking of this scale is rarely smooth. Mayor Jim Kuretski called the effort “perhaps the best overall team project” he has witnessed, citing the coordinated work across multiple departments.
Vice Mayor Ron Delaney praised Shaw’s “100-miles-per-hour energy,” while others highlighted the project’s on-time status—a point contractors also emphasized at recent construction events.
A Milestone Year Ahead
The coming months will be the busiest yet for Jupiter Fire Rescue as hiring accelerates, training intensifies, and final preparations take shape.
“In little over ten months, this department will begin providing full fire and emergency medical services to the community,” Shaw said. “It’s exciting to see it all coming together.”
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