Both North Fort Myers and Bayshore Fire District to keep all staff
You have probably seen them on the television news night after night for the last two weeks — though not known them by name.
In the last two weeks, members of the North Fort Myers Fire District and the Bayshore Fire District have assisted in two major fires — the 1,600-acre fire in Cape Coral off of Andalusia Boulevard and the approximately 250-acre-plus fire in Charlotte County that shut down Route 41.
They even went to Bonita Springs on Thursday night to help fight an 80-acre fire.
Collaborative efforts like these, which result in reciprocal collaborative efforts in the response to their calls, are a big part in keeping fire districts alive in these days of less funds.
Both local districts face lower ad valorem taxes from lower property taxes, which support the districts. Preliminary numbers came out in the last few weeks, and final numbers are due July 1. For the last four years, they have compounded.
It is no small feat for both districts to keep staffing in tact, while others in Southwest Florida are struggling to maintain staffing and facing layoffs.
Terry Pye is the chief of the North Fort Myers Fire District and Larry Nisbet is the chief of the Bayshore Fire District. Both serve the local area.
Aggressive budgeting, grants and more have allowed the two fire departments to keep from laying off current firefighters, said both chiefs.
Planning, pursuing grants and utilizing dedicated volunteers allow Bayshore Fire & Rescue District to keep staff and respond to even more calls.
“But the collaborative effort of all area departments are the key,” Nisbet said.
Deceased property values have compounded over the last four years.
“We are down 5.48 percent, now down at roughly 43 percent in four years. Without the help of my paid staff and volunteers we would have a hard time meeting services,” he said.
Nisbet is calculating the figures from the preliminary figures, knowing they will change when the actual numbers come out.
Completing his third year as chief, one of his priorities is actively pursuing grants that add income for the district.
“This year we have two Safer Grants, which will maintain six firefighters, and are looking at additional grants for capital items,” Nisbet said.
Aid from other local departments is not only provided during brush fires, it could also mean support for a local house fire, said Nisbet.
“There are state standards we are required to do — the recommended level is at least 16 firefighters on a residential house fire — and there are 23 tasks typically done to handle your everyday tasks.
“With less personnel and the (collaborative) support, you can still complete these tasks making sure you meet them in a timely manner. It can mean the difference of a home that is saved or a home that is lost,” he said.
“Mutual and automatic aid agreements are one of the best friends of the fire service,” said North Fort Myers Fire Chief Terry Pye. “No one fire district or department can have enough resources on their own to protect the community the way it needs to be committed to today.”
Pye’s strategy of success for keeping his department in tact includes not only mutual aid, but cooperation within his own circle.
“We’re just cutting back on a lot of things we do, spending, education opportunities, and the union has been very gracious making cutbacks as well. It has been a total group effort from everyone in the department,” he said.
Regarding figures, Pye said the department is down 4.74 percent.
“But hoping to come out about 4.1 (percent) when the July 1 actual ad valorem tax figures will come out,” he said. “Yes, there will be a monetary hit, but we will be able to absorb that.”
Of battling the other area’s dramatic fires of late, Pye said, “It’s just a normal day.”