If the Lehigh Acres Fire Department is in such dire straits, why aren’t they in a cost saving mode by now?
Suggestions:
1. Browning out two stations for 12 hours per day (rotating stations on the off peak time using historical data)
2. Changing firefighter schedules to 12 hours a day (just like the Lee County Sheriff’s Office) for 4 days on and three day off – verses – 24 hours on and 48 hours off.
3. Elimination of all “Kelly days” this is a paid day off taken at a scheduled interval in addition to normal time off or vacation.
These three items will immediately save the Fire District dollars within the first thirty days and millions over time that came be used to save jobs verses layoffs.
Also maintenance issues become easier to handle because you know when that station equipment is not being used.
These savings measures are 100% trackable and measureable and should not be ignored by the fire department or its board.
The next regular monthly of the Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District will be held on July 29, 2014 and will begin at 5:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District, Station 104, 3102 16th St SW, Lehigh Acres, FL 33976.
Budget meeting scheduled at 4:00 p.m. the same day, same place.
The Community of Lehigh Acres has a wealth of intelligent and articulate people. Its time that we use this wealth of knowledge to solve the issue of the Fire Board insolvency. I propose reduced spending and consider all other options BEFORE we lay off anyone. These Fireman are not just Chiefs Wayne’s, there our Firefighters and deserve the respect of all of our Community. When it comes to public safety, they “watch our backs”, even if we are asleep with our families, as a Community we should return the favor. It might be too little, too late, but we should try to save their jobs anyway.
GOOD NEWS: Tax Assessor Office has indicated that due to the slight upswing in the local economy, taxes are on an increase for the previous year, so that will help diminish the operational deficit.
I shall present a proposal too the next Board meeting that should start the process of making our Fire District solvent, and hopefully the Board will approve. I respectfully request that all parties stop calling for layoffs until this process is completed.