South Florida has always been known for its rich and diverse culture. As populations continue to grow here, so does the need for First Responders to communicate with the residents and visitors of Broward County. English is not always the patient, victim or customer's native language and oftentimes public safety personnel are unable to communicate effectively through English.

According to a Sun-Sentinel article published in 2015, 128 different languages are spoken in the South Florida region.


https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/sfl-chart-languages-spoken-in-south-florida-homes-20151109-htmlstory.html

As such, the Broward Sheriff's Office Department of Fire Rescue recently enlisted the aid of a foreign language interpreting service and developed a Foreign Language Interpretation Card. The sign, which is printed on 8.5" x 11" paper and laminated, is carried on all fire rescue apparatus for the purposes of identifying upon contact, the patient, customer or victim's native language.

Upon contact, the patient, customer or victim, needs only to point to their native language which reads the following, "POINT TO YOUR LANGUAGE. AN INTERPRETER WILL BE CALLED. THE INTERPRETER IS PROVIDED AT NO COST TO YOU".

Once a language is identified, field units are able to contact 911 communications via radio and initiate the request for a foreign language interpreter.

The Broward Sheriff's Office boasts over 5,000 personnel and is as diverse as the community in which we serve. As such, a large cadre of departmental personnel have volunteered to be placed on a foreign language interpretation list to be contacted should the need arise. As an extension of protecting and serving the public, our dedicated personnel provide interpretation services free of charge 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The roll-out has already been a success as requests for interpreters have surged as does the population during the winter months when our visitors escape cold-weather regions and vacation here in South Florida.

This is just one more way the Broward Sheriff's Office Department of Fire Rescue is staying at the forefront of serving the public.