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| From the Editor's Desk... |
We're happy you are enjoying the newsletter. We send out reminders for articles on the AList, but you are welcome to send one at any time during the month. Please put NEWSLETTER ARTICLE in the subject line to avoid deletion. If you would like to send and article or have a suggestion, contact:
Puddin Race,
St. Lucie County
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| Greetings from Jon |
Greetings:
During the month of July I had an opportunity to attend the Florida Fire Chief's Association's 50th Annual Executive Development Conference in Ft. Myers. Among the many contacts I made, I was pleased with the discussions that I had with outgoing President Chief Rick Talbert and incoming President Chief Barry Baker. Both were in agreement that our approach to the legislative session went well this year and we all agree there is room for improvement. With tax reform and all of the associated impacts we remain committed to working together to provide the best service we can to improve the health, safety and welfare of Florida's fire service and all citizens, workers and visitors.
I was equally pleased to meet the new Executive Director of the Florida Fire Chief's Association Mr. Jim Wile. Mr. Wile comes from a financial background representing hospitals in the State of Ohio and looks forward to future endeavors with all of Florida's Fire Service partners.
As previously discussed, the legislative session was not extremely eventful for the fire service during the regular session. You were kept informed of issues as they arose and you responded accordingly. With the current situation and with the impacts already being felt from tax reform, now is the time to reach out and make those critical contacts with your local law makers. Legislators are from each of our home towns. They were put into office by people like all of us and they have grass roots interests in mind. If you have not done so before, reach out now and let them know you are there if they have any questions regarding potential fire service issues. We are already hearing about program cuts and now we are hearing about personnel losing their jobs. Let them know that you will not be able to take a fire truck to their child's or grandchild's birthday party anymore or host a birthday party at your station because of these cuts.
The Board of Directors is meeting for two days in August to discuss exactly where we want to go in the coming years. We will be prepared to present a plan with goals and objectives clearly outlined at our annual membership meeting in Cocoa Beach in November. As always if you have a suggestion or comment please get it to your regional director or contact any member of the Board.
Finally, I would like to extend a note of congratulations to Larry Scovotto on the occasion of his retirement from the FFCA. Larry built the FFCA from a small group in the early 90's to what it is today with a full time staff and office and has taken the FFCA to a new level in terms of his accomplishments with programs like Fire Rescue East. Congratulations and best wishes.
Until next month.
Sincerely yours in a fire safe State of Florida
Jon W. Pasqualone, President |
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Salutations from Vicky
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"If the fire service leadership is not convinced that public education works, they will continue to cut that activity when budget crunches occur - The field of public education will continue to be thought of as a luxury item, or a "fluff" program which has little substance - other than [having the] ability to make a difference."
Jim Crawford, 1989, Proving Public Fire Education Works
Tax cuts are here and looking us square in the eyes! Many of us are facing the realization that Public Education is still considered as a "dog and pony show", and regarded as unnecessary to the fire service as a whole. As I met this past month with our local educators' association, it became a "good-bye party" due to many becoming the victims of the tax cut lay-offs.
It is a shame that with the reduction of fire fatalities and injuries since Public Education has moved out of the trunk and into the front seat, so to speak, that educators are still the first casualties of the tax cuts.
Article Provided by:
Victoria Yeakley, FAFLSE Chair
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Parrish Named St. Lucie County Fire Chief |
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The St. Lucie County Fire Board named a new chief July 11.
"It was the toughest vote I have ever had to cast," said Eddie Becht, chairman of the SLCFD Fire Board. During the meeting many of the commissioners expressed how glad they were for the quality of the candidates, but in turn it made for a hard the decision.
Chief Parrish has been with the St. Lucie County Fire District (SLCFD) since 1985, serving 10 years as a firefighter/paramedic. He became a Field Training Instructor and later moved into various Administrative and Operations positions. In 2004 he was named Assistant Fire Chief. As Assistant Chief he had administrative oversight over all aspects of the Fire District. Parrish recently graduated from the Executive Fire Officer program at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsberg, MD. He earned his bachelors degree in Organizational Management from Warner Southern College in Lake Wales, FL.
The SLCFD has 438 employees, which includes 383 qualified firefighters and 55 civilians. In 2006 the Fire District responded to 34,991 emergency calls, with included 4,524 fire related calls and 30,467 medical calls.
Chief Parrish will be the ninth Fire Chief for St. Lucie County. He replaces Fire Chief Jay Sizemore, who retired in April.
Article Provided by:
Catherine Whitaker
Public Information Officer
St. Lucie County Fire District
772-201-2490
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| Lee County Fire Marshals & Inspectors Association's Fire Safety House Trailer |
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 The Lee County Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association (LCFMIA) recently took delivery  of a new 35-foot SCOTTY Fire Safety House Trailer. Under the auspices of the LCFMIA, the Safety House trailer is available for use by all Lee County fire districts and departments as well as for LCFMIA fire safety education events.
In 2004, members of the LCFMIA identified the need for and designated $10,000 in seed money to purchase a safety house trailer for fire safety education in Lee County--at that time no Lee County fire department or district owned a safety house trailer. A $12,500 match grant from the Southwest Florida Community Foundation established the funding base for the $54,443 safety house trailer. Other community businesses and agencies also contributed generously to the safety house trailer. Major sponsors include Colonial Bank, J. McGarvey Construction, Kiwanis Club of Fort Myers South, and South Trail Fire & Rescue. The Lee County Fire Chiefs' Association, and the Iona-McGregor, Bonita Springs, Boca Grande, Estero, Fort Myers Beach, Fort Myers Shores, San Carlos Park, Tice, Captiva, Sanibel, and Bayshore fire districts also sponsored the Fire Safety House with their donations as did Miromar Outlets, Fire Sprinkler Systems Co., the San Carlos Optimist Club, and the North Fort Myers Rotary Club.
The Fire Safety House trailer resembles a single-family home and includes a kitchen equipped with a "safety stove" and a bedroom that can be filled with non-toxic "smoke", allowing participants to practice their escape by feeling a "hot" door and exiting down a permanent window ladder. The Safety House also includes an interactive 9-1-1 phone system and a severe weather simulator to teach adults and children to recognize weather warnings.
Article Provided By:
Christie Knudsen, Public Information Officer
South Trail Fire Protection & Rescue Service District
(239) 936-5281, stfd14@yahoo.com |
| Another Precious Life Saved |
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 Over the weekend, the helpline received a call from a mother whom we had talked to previously. She wanted our assistance in leaving her baby at a "Safe Haven" - She was sure of her decision - and of course we assisted her. The baby is a little healthy boy, his name is Vincent. We are arranging for her the mother to receive counseling and other assistance.
We believed from the beginning - If only one life is saved, all of our efforts would be worthwhile.
Nick Silverio, Founder
Gloria M. Silverio Foundation 501(c)3-
"A Safe Haven for Newborns"
6801 NW 77th Ave. Suite 404
Miami, FL 33166
Phone:(305) 882 1304 ext:103
Fax:(305) 889 0017
www.asafehavenfornewborns.com | |
