TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

High Point fire gains freedom

ADVERTISEMENT

By MICHAEL D. BATES, Hernando Today

Published: December 5, 2007

BROOKSVILLE - Tuesday was Independence Day for the High Point Volunteer Fire Department.

County commissioners voted unanimously to return the 38-member volunteer force to the independent status it enjoyed prior to a controversial 2005 incident that cast doubt on that department's firefighting skills.

Since 2005, county firefighters have responded automatically as first responders to that community to make sure proper procedures were being followed.

Not anymore.

High Point Assistant Fire Chief Rob Paul told commissioners his department has met state firefighting and certification guidelines and has corrected certain problems, such as training data.

"We meet (guidelines) every day," Paul said. "We save lives every day."

Effective immediately, the county firefighters will respond to High Point only when the volunteers ask for assistance for mutual aid. The county would then bill High Point for its services.

County Commissioner Dave Russell praised Paul and his volunteers for their commitment to that community and for working to achieve the necessary certification as required by the state fire marshall's office.

"It's obvious the people (of High Point) have spoken," Russell said. "They want their volunteer fire department."

Three audience members also spoke highly of the volunteers and requested the county to free them from the strict oversight of the county.

"They don't need (any) help," said Rachel Rodriguez of Spring Hill. "They don't need (any) help at all. Leave High Point alone."

County legal staffers drafted a four-page agreement that essentially rescinds a two-year-old county commission directive and restore autonomy to the High Point Volunteer Fire Department.

Assistant County Fire Chief Frank DeFrancesco said recently that High Point volunteers appear to have taken the necessary state training classes and are now at a skill level that should allow them to operate without the county's constant supervision.

High Point residents have stressed they don't want the county breathing down their necks during fire emergencies and county firefighters are tired of the sneers they receive on occasions when they respond, he said.

Under the agreement, the county would send an ambulance and a district chief if a structure fire breaks out in High Point. Their role would be for rescue and rehabilitation purposes only.

High point volunteers would respond as normal to all medical calls until county paramedics or EMS then comes in.

The firefighters rushed to obtain certification after an incident last September where volunteers were criticized by the county for mishandling a 2005 mobile home fire within the community.

Soon after, commissioners directed county firefighters to respond to all first response calls for assistance.

Formerly, the county responded only on an as-needed mutual aid basis.

Many county taxpayers have complained to commissioners they don't like subsidizing the 1,630-home High Point community who had the luxury of having a volunteer fire department and the county respond to fires in that community.

How long this regained freedom will last hinges on the outcome of a comprehensive fire study due out the end of this month. That study is exploring all paid and volunteer departments in the county, as well as billing methods.

High Point residents pay an optional flat $50 fee annually to their volunteer force. County residents pay about $185 a year.

Reporter Michael D. Bates can be reached at 352-544-5290 or mbates@hernandotoday.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT