Headquarters of the original Miccosukee Land Cooperative Fire Department

The Co-Op Station stands as the historic heart of what was once the independent Miccosukee Land Cooperative (MLC) Fire Department before the 1991 merger that created the modern Miccosukee Volunteer Fire Rescue. Located at 9601 Miccosukee Rd, Tallahassee, FL 32309, it sits roughly in the middle-western portion of our overall coverage area—very close to the boundary between the old Cooperative territory and the original Miccosukee department territory. Positioned along historic Miccosukee Road, this station has always been unique: it was built, funded, and continues to be maintained almost entirely by the residents of the Co-Op themselves—a true testament to the volunteer spirit that defines our department.

History

When the Miccosukee Land Co-Operative was developed in the 1970s and early 1980s, residents quickly realized they were miles away from the nearest fire protection. Rather than wait for county services, the community came together and formed their own fire department. The original Co-Op station was a small wooden building constructed by members on donated land. That first station burned to the ground in a training accident in the late 1980s, but the very next year the community rebuilt it — bigger, concrete block, and better than before. The current metal building was erected in the early 2000s again with sweat equity, donated materials, and countless weekend work parties. Very few volunteer departments in Florida can say their station was literally built by the same neighbors it protects.

Territory & Importance

The Co-Op station covers the western and southwestern portions of our response district — roughly everything west of Baum Road, south of Miccosukee Road, and including the vast rural areas along Veterans Memorial Highway, Old Centerville Road, and the many dirt roads throughout the Co-Op. This is some of the most heavily wooded and hardest-to-access terrain in our district, with long driveways, dense pine forests, and numerous ponds and swamps. Because many of our members live inside the Co-Op itself, response times from this station are often the fastest in the department — frequently under 6 minutes from tone-out to on scene.

Apparatus & Capabilities

The Co-Op Station primarily houses one of our heavy brush/pumper trucks (currently a commercial chassis with 1,000-gallon tank and high-pressure pump) that is perfectly suited for the narrow, sandy roads and off-road fire responses common in this area. The station also stores our Gator ATV, chainsaws, wildland gear, and a large inventory of Indian tanks and backpack pumps. During prescribed burn season or red flag days, this station becomes our primary wildland attack base.

Community Hub

More than just a fire station, the Co-Op building serves as a true community center. Monthly MLC meetings are held here, election polling takes place in the meeting room, and it's the staging area for everything from hurricane prep to the annual Fourth of July parade. The station's large parking lot has seen countless fish fries, fundraisers, and even a wedding or two.

For nearly 45 years, the Co-Op Station has stood as a shining example of what a determined rural community can accomplish when neighbors decide to take care of their own. It is living proof that in Miccosukee, “volunteer” isn't just a title — it's a way of life.

We are incredibly proud that Station 2 continues to be owned, operated, and loved by the very people it protects.