Profile   |  History  |  Fire Chief

MONTVERDE FIRE DEPARTMENT
17105 Porter Avenue ~ Montverde, FL 34756
Sta. 407- 469- 3466 ~ Fax 407- 469- 3460

If you have an emergency, dial 911

OUR VISION

We will continue to transform today's fire/rescue service into a progressive, proactive and professional service; a service that will exceed today's demands, and meet tomorrows. 

OUR MISSION

To provide fire prevention, suppression and rescue services to the residents of the Town of Montverde and neighboring communities.

OUR VALUES

Our Department values describe how we approach performing our mission, and how we will proceed toward our vision:

• Focus - We are devoted to serving our residents and to exceeding their expectations.
• Excellence - We are committed to our members and to their development, service, safety and recognition.
• Service - We will always strive to provide prompt, professional service to the best of our abilities.
• Innovation - We constantly explore new concepts and methods in order to increase our efficiency and/or effectiveness.
• Teaming - We aggressively seek and accept partnerships to improve the quality of our organization and service.
• Integrity - We act ethically, we are honest, and we keep our word, and take full responsibility for our actions.

PROFILE

The Montverde Fire Department was founded in 1934 as a 100% volunteer organization. The (MFD) provides fire prevention, suppression and rescue services to the residents of the Town of Montverde and also provides service on a mutual / automatic aid basis to areas of unincorporated Lake County and neighboring municipalities. The MFD has been recognized as the primary emergency services provider for the Town of Montverde by the Town Council.

Today, the MFD consists of approximately twenty active certified volunteer professionals manning two engine companies and an attack pumper. The department is managed by a full-time Fire Chief. Service is provided from a single central station located at 17105 Porter Ave, to the rear of the Town Municipal Campus. Our apparatus compliment consists of:

• Attack 85- 2008 325 GPM Ford F550 mini pumper
• Engine 85- 2004 1500 GPM Pierce Contender pumper
• Engine 851- 1956 500 GPM Ford / Seagrave pumper

HISTORY

The Montverde Fire Department was organized on March 28th, 1934 with 14 members. Milton Butler was appointed Fire Chief for an indefinite term and was paid the sum of One Dollar per month as salary for his services as Fire Chief. The first training session was held on April 2nd, 1934 with 12 members in attendance.

Milton served as chief until 1945 and the current firehouse is dedicated to his memory as the Milton Butler Memorial Fire Station.

The town's first piece of fire apparatus was a 1927 Cadillac. The car's body had been removed and a wooden seat and truck bed were constructed. This unit was to serve as a "hose wagon" only as there was no pump. Several lengths of hose were carried along with a couple of nozzles.

Sometime in the late 40's to early 50's, an American LaFrance pumper (approx. 1917 model) was obtained from the City of Eustis and had a 500 GPM brass pump, dual-magneto ignition, a 250 gal. water tank and a pair of lanterns mounted near the rear of the vehicle. Original solid tires had been replaced with pneumatics. This pumper replaced the aforementioned Cadillac.

Insert photo of American LaFrance with caption:

The American LaFrance (approx. 1917 model)

In 1958, the American LaFrance was replaced with a brand new 1956 Ford / Seagrave pumper. This pumper was completely restored / re-furbished in 2008 / 2009 and is fully functional.

The 1956 Ford / Seagrave. This photo was taken immediately upon returning to town from the Columbus, Ohio Segrave plant.

Insert photo of Ford / Seagrave (New) with caption:

The 1956 Ford / Seagrave today. "Still in service".

2009 marked 75 Years of Service for the Montverde Fire Department. The MFD has come a long way since 1934 and we look forward to many more years of dedicated service to our community.

FIRE CHIEF

Fire Chief Steven Sette's career has spanned the past twenty-eight years. He has served as the Town's fire chief since November of 2006. He previously served the department in the capacities of Firefighter, Captain, and Deputy Fire Chief prior to being appointed as Chief. Steven and his wife Kristine are proud residents of our town and have a son, Derek who is currently serving in the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment of the United States Army, which is based out of Vilseck Germany. Derek has also completed a tour of duty in Iraq.

Steven has served in a multitude of both career and volunteer fire departments as a firefighter and fire officer throughout his career and also served our country as a U.S. Naval Hospital Corpsman assigned to a Marine Corps transportation unit. He holds national and state certifications in both Florida and Georgia as a firefighter, fire officer and fire service training instructor.

Since his appointment as Chief, Steven has with the help, dedication and determination of our town council and administration, been able to reduce our ISO rating from an 8 / 9 to a 5 which resulted in substantial savings to residents on home owner's insurance premiums. Chief Sette was able to accomplish this while simultaneously reducing the fire department operating budget by streamlining operations. With the help of a dedicated staff of volunteer professionals, the entire department was re-structured and re-organized to more effectively and efficiently serve the town based on the needs, size, and scope of the community as opposed to previous operations.

Steven is dedicated to the protection of the lives, property and quality of life of our residents and visitors alike as well as the continued improvement of fire services to our community while maintaining fiscal responsibility. He believes the department's success is largely based on the outstanding skills, character and professionalism of the men and women who comprise the organization and that without them, there would be no department.