Advocates for Pasco Fire Rescue continue the push to reduce emergency response times in Pasco County.
Two speakers appeared before the Pasco County Commission during the public comment portion of the board’s Aug. 9 meeting, pushing for the board to have a greater sense of urgency regarding steps they can take to improve emergency response times.
Jim Carino, of New Port Richey, told board members that he has 35 years in fire service, including teaching stints to provide training for firefighters and emergency responders.
“I moved to Pasco County in 1973 and have witnessed tremendous growth in the years I’ve lived here,” Carino said.
“I’ve been following with great interest Pasco firefighters’ fight to increase staffing and add more strategically placed fire stations to better serve the citizens of Pasco County,” he said.
“Government’s main responsibility is public safety. It must be a priority. Only a firefighter truly knows the demands and responsibilities that come with the title of firefighter,” he said.
The county’s firefighters have been asking the board for its help.
“The county continues to fall behind in keeping up with the demands of growth,” Carino said, and the additional demands for fire services.
He noted the county doesn’t meet the national standards on response times.
“I came here today to ask you to listen to the emergency workers and to develop a strategic plan and to follow it, to make the lives of the citizens of Pasco — and fire/rescue personnel here to protect them — safer.”
Carino added: “We must stop kicking the can down the road and get serious.
“The longer we wait, the farther behind we fall and the more expensive it will get.”
Steve Akel, a member of International Association of Firefighters, Local 4420, also appeared before the board, reiterating numerous concerns he’s raised in the past.
He told board members the issue was brought to its attention in July of 2021.
The board continues to approve new construction at every meeting, but there are no new fire stations for emergency crews, Akel said.
“Response times are still above the national average. The department frequently has no ambulances available, and you’re still denying our firefighter his state-entitled cancer benefits,” he said.
“For a year now, Local 4420 has brought to your attention the death sentence you continue to issue to the citizens of Pasco, and the mass deficiencies in the board’s leadership. Leadership that allows fire stations to not be built for, and I quote, ‘for over a decade,’ knowingly putting the public at risk.
“Population increases by thousands monthly, with no support for public safety to retain experienced, or new employees, as is felt by the fire department and the sheriff’s office.
“In April, you were told that over 50% of response times were greater than 10 minutes and reminded that Signal 40 (the lack of available ambulances) was still an issue. In May, you were reminded that the G.O. Bond was approved in 2018, which was supposed to go to Fire/Rescue for five new fire stations and rebuild four, of which we have zero.
“You were told that in the last year we lost 50 firefighters, and that number has only increased,” Akel said.
Pasco Fire Rescue is third-busiest for EMS calls and eighth-busiest for fire calls in the state, Akel said.
Commissioner Christina Fitzpatrick responded to the comments at a later point in the meeting.
Fitzpatrick said she’s proud of the board, county staff and the fire chief for working together to address the issue.
She provided this update on the status of the various projects.
Regarding the four new fire stations:
- Station 9: Expected to open this fall at the Suncoast Parkway and State Road 52
- Station 3: Bid closed Aug. 9
- Stations 2 and 4: Out for design and engineering; expected to begin construction in Spring 2023
Rebuilds
- Station 17: Groundbreaking was held last year. Opening expected in late December or early January.
- Station 20: Bid accepted. Groundbreaking expected within a month or two.
- Station 18: Bids close Aug. 9. Groundbreaking expected within the next few months.
Fitzpatrick noted that Stations 9 and 17 were slowed down because of material and construction delays.
She added: “We still have stations 19, 22, and once that’s finished, we’ll be moving forward with the training center.
“I’m very excited to see that all of these stations are moving forward, and the majority of them will be built by next year.”
Commission Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey agreed that there’s a lot of activity.
“It’s surprising how slow government goes, but we have to follow all of these laws and rules, in purchasing and advertising and contracts,” Starkey said.
Starkey continued: “We’re doing everything we can up here to expedite these fire stations.”
Commissioner Ron Oakley thanked Pasco citizens for supporting the fire station projects through their approval of the General Obligation bonds, which have provided needed funding.
“We’ve got to be real grateful for our citizens stepping up, to take on some of that burden, along with us,” Oakley said.
Starkey added: “When these are done, our citizens will definitely feel the impact — in a positive way.”
Commissioner Jack Mariano said he’d like to see a presentation from Fire Chief Scott Cassin detailing what the county has done during the past 10 years, in terms of fire/rescue improvements.
“I think we’re doing all of the right things, as quick as we can. I think in a very short period of time, we’ll be in great shape,” Mariano said.
Published August 17, 2022
