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Sanibel Fire and Rescue District |
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A Few Words From The Chief - - - - - - The Sanibel Fire and Rescue District is committed to providing the best possible emergency services to the residents and visitors of Sanibel. As Fire Chief it is my job to ensure that our personnel are trained and equipped to provide the quality and professional service that is expected by all those we serve. Sanibel Fire and Rescue District is prepared to respond to several types of emergencies other than the normal fire and medical calls, including water rescue, confined space, high angle, hazardous materials, missing or lost persons and recovery after a hurricane. We also respond to non-emergency requests to assist residents that are non-ambulatory and need any type of lifting help. The Sanibel Fire and Rescue District's Fire Prevention Bureau, completes over 700 annual inspections of condominiums, businesses and restaurants each year. The District owns 460 fire hydrants on the Island and flows and inspects each of those hydrants annually. The Training Division along with the firefighters teach CPR, AED and First Aid to over 300 residents and workers on Sanibel each year. Over the past three years, the District has maintained a high quality of service while collecting less revenue from Ad Valorem Taxes. In this budget year, beginning October 1, 2010, I am proposing to the District's Board of Commissioners, a tax rate that will collect 3% less than was collected in the budget year of 2006 - 2007. It is the same revenue amount that the District has collected, for the past three budget years. During that time we have improved, upgraded or replaced several safety items and pieces of equipment that are vital to our safe and efficient response. Also during that time, our ISO rating has improved from a 6 to a 5. The District's personnel have agreed to "freezes", in pay for the last two years. This has allowed us not to increase taxes for the forth year in a row. Without the hard work, dedication and cooperation of all the employees of the District, the improvements in equipment and the ISO rating would not have been possible. As property values continue to decline and effect revenue, the Sanibel Fire and Rescue District will continue to work and respond as efficiently as possible and remain committed to providing the best, possible emergency services to the residents and visitors of Sanibel Island.
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