purchase scanner

First off, I hope I got the right forum. Like many of you probably, I'm so scared to post for fear I've chosen the wrong one or didn't read all the rules correctly or something. LOL I haven't listened to a scanner for a few years now. I'm in Tampa, FL and am going to purchase a handheld...

I don't have a scanner but am wanting to buy one to try and monitor what's going on when fires start, I'm terrified of fires. We were evacuated once and it was more scary than anything I've ever been through. I'm confused though about what I need insofar as purchasing a scanner. Radio Shack...