Important IAFF Announcement For Sarasota County Residents Regarding The SCFD...

Important IAFF Announcement For Sarasota County Residents Regarding The SCFD...
By Matt Bruce | 07/15/10 | 03:20 PM EDT | 0 Comments

Press Release - July 15, 2010...

For Immediate Release -

LOCAL 2546
Suncoast Professional Firefighters & Paramedics
740 Commerce Drive,
Suite 1
Venice, Florida 34292
Phone: 941-485-5193
Fax: 941-488-6134
http://www.iaff2546.com

Are you aware that Sarasota County has recently reduced its daily Firefighter staffing on ladder trucks and several Fire Engines from 3 per unit to 2???

For example, Fire Station#1 located in the Downtown serves our High Rise district including Lido Key. This reduction in emergency services staffing levels creates a significant risk to both the citizens and the Firefighters...

In April 2010 the US Dept of Commerce released a study that shows that 4 person Firefighting crews perform tasks 30% faster than 2-person crews. This saves lives and greatly reduces property loss and subsequent Insurance costs and claims...

For too many years Sarasota County subscribed to the minimum staffing levels for Emergency Services. Several years ago that bad practice made a dramatic turn-around with the announcement of an “emergency catch up plan” authored by the Fire Chief and approved by the Board of County Commissioners...

The plan called for the addition of several new Fire Stations added to areas that were underserved, and an increase in staffing on Fire Engines from two per truck to 3 per truck phased in over 10 years...

The plan was supported by the Firefighters and welcomed by the community...

The question remains, “will the County Commission stand by its commitment to the citizens of Sarasota County to achieve safer Firefighting staffing levels on its Fire Trucks?”

Respectfully,

Mervin Kennell
President

Donald “D.J.” Seiler
Secretary

Philip Vets
Treasurer

Rocco Salvatori
Business Agent

SERVING THE SUNCOAST SINCE 1976...

Affiliated with:

Sarasota County
Charlotte County
City of Bradenton
City of North Port
Englewood FCD
City of Venice
Longboat Key
City of Punta Gorda
Southern Manatee
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Tune in Monday September 19th at 12 noon ET to hear IAFF 2546 President Merve Kennell speak all about this issue on "The Captain's AMERICA Radio Show" with host Matt Bruce, Ret. 25 year Fire-Rescue Captain...