Hernando County Fire Rescue proudly announced the purchase of two new fire engines in this morning's newspaper. Excitement was expressed by the firefighters union president in reference to this purchase by fire officials. This purchase of the new fire engines was made a year ago, and the delivery of these vehicles will be in mid-September to the HCFR. Even though this $840,000 purchase for vehicles was not mentioned at the recent (HCFR) rate increase hearing, its nice to know that our health, safety and welfare are being so diligently looked after by Hernando County Fire Rescue, with the blessing of Commissioner Rose Rocco's vote to approve a 25% increase in their budget.
Money cannot buy anyone happiness but be rest assured that Commissioner Rose Rocco is always looking out for our health, safety and welfare. So if you are having trouble finding the money to buy new school shoes for your children because you are strapped with the new fire rates, call Commissioner Rocco since she feels your pain. Even if your elderly grandmother has to decide between paying her fire dues and buying medication, don't worry, call Commissioner Rocco since she is really concerned with your personal health, safety and welfare.
Even though you may be having trouble financially coming to grips with the new 25% rate increase by Hernando County Fire Rescue, don't you just feel better knowing we have two new fire engines for the Hernando County Fire Rescue district?
5 comments:
When do you suppose would be the right time to replace a fire engine? Obviously 16 and 19 years of hard use and service does not warrant replacement in your opinion. You are correct, the truck purchase was not mentioned during the rate increase, it was brought up when the trucks were ordered around a year ago. Certainly if you find this is wasteful, then I can assume (as a city business owner and taxpayer) you're at every city council meeting to complain about B.F.D running a ladder truck as their back up fire engine.
Wait until next year when the fire dept can, (WILL) raise their rates WITHOUT Rocco's blessing....she and the rest of the clueless crew already gave it to them. I've never seen anything so outrageous. Fact is, we don't have government in the sunshine...it's backroom politics as usual with the fat-cats calling the shots. Most decisions are set in stone before any public meetings.
Mr. Brazinski, in my opinion there is no comparison between Brooksville Fire & HCFR. While you tried to compare Brooksville Fire Dept. by using a ladder truck for back-up, you forget to mention that they have not had a rate increase in years for the taxpayers. If I may add, even without a rate increase for Brooksville Fire, they managed to buy a new ladder truck and rescue truck in the last 5 years. City property owners also have a 4 ISO rating while the majority of HCFR service area is rated at a 9 ISO. This 9 ISO by the HCFR really impacts homeowners insurance with higher premiums. I hope that answers your concerns.
Anonymous: Yes, we will see annual rate increases of 5.5% every year from HCFR, due in part to Ms. Rocco's concern for our health safety & welfare. "Don't forget the annual rate increase approved several years ago for EMS that is 3%". Your statement in reference to the "clueless crew" in reference to this issue was quite accurate...
Mrs. Covell, I assume you know the components that make up your ISO rating. 50% of it is response capability, 40% water supply, and 10% communications. To compare apples with apples, our ISO is 5 in an area with hydrants, as compared to BFD's 4. Two components must be met to get the lower rating, 5 miles from a fire station, and 1000ft from a fire hydrant. I'm assuming the price tag would be astronomical to place fire hydrants within 1000 feet of all residences located in the 400+ square miles we cover. Sure would be nice, then we wouldn't have to spend tax dollars on those "underutilized" tankers we have for water supply.
All I was asking is what you feel the appropriate service life of a fire engine. My interpretation of your blog is that replacing a 19 year old fire engine is wasteful spending.
And you are correct, there is no comparison between the two departments. I've worked both places and can attest to that.
Mr. Brazinski/its not whether I agree with a replacement of this 19 year vehicle when taking into consideration the entire spending history and management of HCFR. I did not agree with the building of Station 23, nor the take over of Township 22, but these issues have all been put to rest by votes of the county commissioners. Yes, appropriate equipment for fire-fighters safety is a must but in this tight budget year, the public has not seen any cost reductions from the HCFR budget, only a 25% fee increase to the public. As I stated before I attribute my displeasure to your upper management.
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