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Firefighters Feel Survey's Heat

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By LAURA KINSLER

lkinsler@tampatrib.com

Published: January 28, 2009

ZEPHYRHILLS - Firefighters packed city hall on Monday night demanding to know why the city council plans to ask the public whether they would support eliminating the department if it meant lowering property taxes.

The question appears on the city's citizen satisfaction survey, which asks residents about topics ranging from one-way traffic to wild chickens. Each year, the city poses general questions about residents' satisfaction with city services and government officials.

The survey has yet to be mailed, but already a question about turning over fire service to Pasco County has riled up the entire department. Flanked by their wives and children, the firefighters wanted to know why they were being singled out.

Firefighter Shawn Baptist said the survey question doesn't explain that turning fire service over to the county would mean significantly reduced coverage. Residents would likely end up having to pay higher insurance premiums.

"Not only is it misleading," he argued, "it looks to us like you guys are ready to send us packing."

That fear has been hanging over the department since 2003, when Dade City eliminated its fire department.

"In Dade City, it was a pretty seamless change," City Manager Steve Spina said. "We're not going to get the sweetheart deal that Dade City got."

Mayor Cliff McDuffie assured the firefighters that even if respondents voted to eliminate the department, the city charter would require a unanimous vote by council to do so.

"As long as the city can afford to have a fire department, we're going to have one," Councilman Clyde Bracknell added.

The firefighters weren't buying it. Audience members started shouting, "Change the survey!"

Spina agreed to a compromise. He would rewrite the question to include other city departments if the firefighters would refold the 1,300 questionnaires before mailing.

Reporter Laura Kinsler can be reached at (813) 779-4617.

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