SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — The Sarasota County Fire Department is proposing an increase to taxpayers to ensure essential public safety services are adequately provided.
“We need to be responsive to the taxpayers; we need to grow the fire department within the limitations of what we believe they expect and what they should be willing to afford,” said Chief David Rathbun.
The chief explained that the department is pursuing a 13% increase in fire assessment rates, calculated based on a home’s square footage. They aim to enhance staffing and address issues related to response times. As all firefighters are also certified EMTs, the challenge lies in having the same personnel fulfill dual roles during emergencies.
“When all crews are on that fire and that fire house is empty, and Mr. and Mrs. Smith are experiencing a cardiac event, fire trucks have to respond from increasingly farther away,” Chief Rathbun noted. “Each minute delay represents a 10% decrease in a patient’s survivability. If they are coming from a longer distance, the chances of a positive outcome diminish rapidly.”
The fire department faces new communities that require fire stations, as well as existing stations that encounter more incidents than they can adequately respond to. Chief Rathbun emphasized that reaching these emergencies poses significant risks.
“Running red lights and sirens is inherently dangerous. If we can deploy the necessary number of firefighters while sending fewer fire trucks, we reduce the risk to the community and lower the chances of a vehicle accident,” Rathbun remarked.
As the area continues to grow, rising costs are a reality. The chief asserts that these increases could be vital in saving lives.
Key Information
- Proposal: 13% increase in fire assessment rates based on home square footage
- Goal: Enhance staffing and response times
- Dual-role challenge: Firefighters also serve as EMTs
- Impact of delays: Each minute delay decreases patient survivability by 10%
- Community needs: New fire stations for growing communities
- Safety measures: Fewer fire trucks can minimize risks during response
Article original publish date: 2025-08-26 02:39:00
Article source: www.wfla.com
Read the full story at the original source: www.wfla.com
