Department Press Release

PUBLIC INFORMATION RELEASE:

January 30, 2026

MEDIA CONTACT:

Deputy Fire Chief Jim Roberts

850-391-6905 or 863-559-1748

jim.roberts@mpvfd.org 

Mount Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department Issues Urgent Cold Weather Safety Information Ahead Extreme Cold Weather

Mount Pleasant, FL – As a dangerous Arctic blast moves into North Florida, the Mount Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department (MPVFD) is urging all residents of Mount Pleasant and surrounding Gadsden County to take immediate precautions as strong cold front approaches our area. The National Weather Service has issued a Cold Weather Advisory from early Saturday morning to Saturday afternoon, an Extreme Cold Warning from Saturday afternoon to Sunday afternoon, and a Freeze Warning from Saturday evening to Sunday morning for Gadsden County including Mount Pleasant, with wind chills potentially dropping as low as 7 degrees.

“Our primary goal is the safety of our neighbors,” said Deputy Fire Chief Jim Roberts. “With temperatures this low, the risk of fire from heating equipment and medical emergencies like hypothermia increases significantly. We ask everyone to prepare now before the coldest air arrives”.

The MPVFD recommends all residents follow the "5 P’s of Cold Weather Preparedness":

• Protect People: Dress in multiple layers of loose-fitting, warm clothing. Check on the elderly and vulnerable neighbors to ensure they have adequate heat.

• Protect Pets: Bring all outdoor pets inside. If they must stay out, provide a warm, dry shelter and ensure their water does not freeze.

• Protect Pipes: Cover exposed outdoor pipes and allow faucets to drip slowly to prevent freezing and bursting.

• Protect Plants: Cover cold-sensitive plants with burlap or blankets, or bring them indoors if possible.

• Practice Fire Safety:

  • Keep space heaters at least three feet away from anything flammable (bedding, curtains, furniture).

  • Never use a stove, oven, or outdoor grill to heat your home due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

  • Ensure smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly.

For those needing warmth, Gadsden County has established a Cold Weather Shelter located at the W.S. Stevens Center, located at 1000 West 4th Street in Quincy. This shelter will be operational from 6:00pm to 7:00am daily through February 1, 2026.

The Mount Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department remains on standby 24/7 to respond to emergencies. For more information or updates, follow the MPVFD on Facebook.

In case of an emergency, please dial 911 immediately.

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About the Mount Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department

An ISO Class 6 Department, the Mount Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department is one of eleven departments in Gadsden County, Florida.

Founded in 1968, the Mount Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department is a small rural all volunteer fire department that strives to provide the highest quality of fire and rescue services to the citizens and visitors of our community. Department personnel are made up of dedicated community volunteers that are on standby twenty-four hours a day and seven days a week to keep the residents and visitors of Mount Pleasant and Gadsden County safe.