Switch to Volunteer Fire Department in Florida?

[VentMedic]

The happenings in Florida have more comedy, drama and tradegy than anything on TV.

I can't say I'm too surprised. Broward County has had an identity crisis over the past few years with many consolidations and mergers. Everything finally landed under the Sheriff. Taxes are at an all time high in an area of retired people with fixed incomes, there is alot of frustration. We had many volunteer services prior to 1985 but we also had sand roads, half the population and not as many high rises.

Broward Sheriff's Office (BSO)

http://www.sheriff.org/

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/community/news...0,4906105.story

Switch to volunteer fire department a hot topic in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea

Switch from the Sheriff's Office to volunteer fire department has some concerned about safety

By Linda Trischitta | South Florida Sun-Sentinel

October 29, 2008

LAUDERDALE-BY-THE-SEA - By switching to a volunteer fire department, town officials hoped to save millions of tax dollars while keeping service on par with what the Broward Sheriff's Office provided over the past four years.

But some residents and commissioners are concerned the move, which took effect Oct. 1, could jeopardize safety because the VFD's contract allows nine minutes to respond to a blaze. In its final year, the sheriff reported average response times of 3:56 minutes for 18 fire calls.

"Nine minutes is totally unacceptable," said John Toohey, a retired assistant chief of the New York Fire Department and vice president of the 15-story Ocean Colony condominium. For example, he said, if someone had a few cocktails and fell asleep holding a lit cigarette, "if the fire department arrives nine minutes later from then, forget that person."

Fire Chief Robert Perkins isn't worried. He said in its first two weeks, the VFD responded "within between four and seven minutes" to 14 minor fire calls and 30 practice runs with new EMS vendor American Medical Response.

We've had 15 to 17 firefighters responding per call," he said, adding the VFD has drilled twice weekly for seven months, held classes and visited condo towers to map water supplies and climb stairs in full tanks and gear.

"These guys have worked very hard. At least give them an opportunity to show you," said Vice Mayor Jerome McIntee, who is also a VFD member.

Fire protection is a combustible issue for this 2-mile-long barrier island town's 6,300 residents, a number that grows to 11,350 in winter. The 2000 U.S. Census said 23.9 percent of the population had disability status, a statistic captured before the town's 2001 annexation of a northern mile of A1A.

"I know what a wonderful job BSO did and the training they had as firefighters and paramedics," said homeowner Virginia Holder. "I live in a house, and would be a whole lot more concerned if I lived in a [condo] tower."

The National Fire Protection Association sets different response times for professionals and volunteers: six minutes is the career force standard; for volunteers it's nine minutes. Fire departments report their own response times to their communities.

The town averages five fires that require use of water to be extinguished per year. McIntee says the town's 68 buildings that are higher than two stories are not a concern. "The buildings are 99 percent fire-resistant," he said.

But Toohey said, "apartment contents are flammable. Fire could spread along a public hallway, from a basement Dumpster through trash chutes; along wiring paths or through exploded windows. That's how you could have a high-rise fire."

The town expects to save $1.3 million a year by hiring the VFD through 2013. In the final year of the sheriff's fire and EMS contract, the town paid $3.3 million, $2.3 million of it for fire alone.

But since March the town has spent $2 million for fire service. That money covered fire and beach patrol vehicles, the EMS vendor's agreement, and VFD contracts that cost at least $850,000 annually.

"There are obviously startup costs," said Commissioner Stuart Dodd.

To ensure public safety, Mayor Roseann Minnet and Commissioners Birute Clottey and Dodd have discussed setting up a citizens' committeeto review the VFD's training and performance.

"If an oversight committee prevents one incident, then it will achieve its purpose," Dodd said.

Perkins said it's unnecessary, and Commissioners McIntee and James Silverstone, also a firefighter, have resisted.

"I feel that there is a movement on this dais by a couple of people to attack the volunteer fire department," said McIntee, who added he would support oversight, if it's also applied to police and ambulance performance.

The VFD reported to the state fire marshal that of its 76 firefighters, 57 have firefighter II certification, or 360 hours of training. The rest, including the chief, deputy chief and three captains, have firefighter I status with 160 hours' instruction, or are trainees. Most have not yet passed medical exams, something Perkins said will happen within the year. Some live in town and many are new fire academy graduates who train with the VFD while awaiting permanent jobs elsewhere.

Clottey said she received "numerous complaints" from residents about the Sheriff's Office's firefighting abilities and the VFD deserved the contract. "Unless you are from here, you don't understand what the volunteers mean to the community," she said.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/community/news...0,4906105.story

[Dustdevil]

This is a prime example of the frostbacks moving down to Floridia and screwing up a perfectly good state.

The only difference between Floridia and New Jersey/New York (same thing) anymore is the weather.

[reaper]

Vent,

When I left Davie, there still was dirt roads and cow pastures. When I went back last year, I did not even recognize the place. It is now subdivisions all the way to the glades. It is sad to see that happen.

They should have never let BSO get so much control of everything. I can remember how screwed up the "Navarro Years" were! :shock:

[VentMedic]

They should have never let BSO get so much control of everything. I can remember how screwed up the "Navarro Years" were! :shock:

Nick! The Godfather of reality TV.

Yeah, I remember when Alligator Alley was still an alley. We owned a half-track and a swamp buggy for our fun times on weekends when I was much younger.

Broward EMS went through some transitions in the 80s and 90s but overall they weren't too bad. The ambulance services........ (must be gentler and kinder like spenac)

[Chief1C]

Just like the Police shouldn't be doing the job of the Rescue Company (NYPD); the Sheriff's Dept. shouldn't be doubling as the Fire Dept.

That said.. Around here, the Fire Dept. arose because of a lack of support from the municipality to take control and install adequate firefighting capabilities. So, seeing the need to protect their homes, businesses and livelihood; the citizens took charge and here we are..

I don't think that taking control of public safety, should be laid upon every man, woman and child in a community. Sure, everyone can do their part in prevention of fires, accidents, injuries.. reporting.. knowing what to do before help arrives.

It shouldn't be throw to the street, and left for the general public to pick up and try to piece it together as best they can. Some do a damn fine job, and in many areas, you probably couldn't make it work as paid. But in an urban community, or a population over a few thousand.. There should be enough tax revenue to support a fully staffed fire service. If there isn't, the elected officials are doing something wrong.

[reaper]

Nick! The Godfather of reality TV.

Yeah, I remember when Alligator Alley was still an alley. We owned a half-track and a swamp buggy for our fun times on weekends when I was much younger.

Broward EMS went through some transitions in the 80s and 90s but overall they weren't too bad. The ambulance services........ (must be gentler and kinder like spenac)

Yeah, Broward EMS was not that bad and had some good medics there. But, the county had to screw all that up! Just like they are doing now.