Title
Fire Rescue Services in Southwest Gainesville near Alachua County Fire Rescue Station 19 (B)
This item requests that the City Commission hear a presentation on fire rescue services in the southwest area of the City of Gainesville near Alachua County Fire Station 19. *ESTIMATED STAFF PRESENTATION 20 MINUTES*
Explanation
On December 9, 2013, the City Commission and Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) heard a joint presentation on services in the Fire Station 19 service area. The City Commission approved a recommendation to request the BOCC provide direction to County staff to negotiate a plan for the transition of fire-rescue services with City staff. The BOCC met on February 4, 2014 and sent a letter to the City to indicate that the BOCC had authorized County staff to negotiate with City staff. City and County staff began meeting bi-weekly in March 2014, developing a joint recommendation that was completed in June.
On June 17, 2014 County staff presented the joint recommendation to the BOCC. BOCC sent a letter to the City Commission, which was received on June 19, 2014, prior to the City Commission meeting. The letter indicated that the BOCC was not in agreement with staff's proposed transition plan. Subsequent to receiving the letter, the City Commission heard the City staff presentation on the joint recommendation and voted to move forward with activating a squad unit in the Fire Station 19 service area.
On June 23, 2014, the City activated Gainesville Fire Rescue Squad 2 to serve in the Fire Station 19 service area. Staffing for the unit is accomplished through the funding of nine additional firefighter positions funded through a two-year federal SAFER grant.
This presentation will provide an update on fire-rescue services in the southwest area near Alachua County Fire Station 19.
Fiscal Note
The placement of Squad 2 in Southwest Gainesville is expected to result in savings of $350,000 for FY 14. Based on the relocation of Squad 2 in August ...
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