SARASOTA, FL. (NS) -

There is a new tactic being used across America by Cities and Municipalities faced with money or budget problems...

It's called "Privatization," and it it starting to affect our Fire Service...

Privatization is now coming to the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport. Sarasota County Fire Department Local IAFF 2546 Firefighters are being terminated as Rural Metro prepares to take over operations on Oct. 1, 2006...

Today on "The Captain's AMERICA" radio show, Walter Dix -IAFF District Representative for Florida, Mike Stephenson - President of IAFF Local 2546, Murph Kennell - Business Agent for IAFF Local 2546 and Blair Cook - a 23 year Fire Medic Engineer Veteran who was involved in the Union negotiations were guests on the radio show...

There is definitely an issue with the Company scheduled to place the SRQ Airport Firefighters, Rural Metro, who has been previously cited, fined and even has ongoing lawsuits against them...

Their lack of experience, training and other safety related issues are creating serious doubt into the real reason behind the replacement of the SRQ Local 2546 Firefighters...

Could this be referred to as 'Union busting'? Well perhaps...

The Sarasota-Manatee Airport Authority originally called a meeting so Airport Administrator Fred Piccolo could recommend accepting a bid from the Rural Metro Private Firefighting Company to assume control of Fire and EMS operations at the Airport. A vote was then taken and then approved 4-1, but each side then accused the other of irregularities...

For example, one Airport Commisioner Bob Wachter, also the Sarasota County GOP Chairman, said he was "a former Firefighter that's still in the Union," which meant he should have recused himself from the vote initially...

After initially agreeing to have a public discussion at the end of the meeting, the Sarasota-Manatee Airport Commission hastily adjourned without allowing any discussion as was promised earlier...

There were many in attendance who had filled out a card wanting to speak about the privatization topic which was on the meeting agenda. Many wanted to speak on behalf of the IAFF Local 2546 Firefighters and rebutt the Rural Metro claims with public information they were going to mention about the Private Company. They were told there would be "open discussion" after the vote was held. However they were not allowed that opportunity as the meeting was hastily adjourned...

Appearing on "The Captain's AMERICA" radio show, the SRQ Firefighters of Local 2546 were given that chance to rebut the Rural Metro takeover...

You can listen to this radio show by going to:

http://thecaptainsamerica.podomatic.com

This is far from over as a legal battle is now shaping up between the IAFF Local 2546 Airport Firefighters Union and the SRQ Airport Authority...

It should be noted the SRQ Airport Authority said this move would save some $300,000. But there are questions remaining about the motive and reasons behind this action. Then for example, there is the issue of the SRQ Firefighters Pension Fund which reportedly has not been totally funded to this point by the Airport Authority...

There are also facts about Rural Metro that the SRQ Airport Authority would not allow to be presented during their meeting. These facts dispute the operations, qualifications, past safety record and training of the Rural Metro Company...

THE PUBLIC:

Residents can call or write Airport Authority Board Members to register their objections about the replacement of veteran professional union fire service members, many with 20 years or more of service, with less experienced Rural Metro non union, some part time, less qualified personnel that will create numerous safety and firefighting problems in the future for the SRQ International Airport...

Here Are The Sarasota-Manatee Airport Authority Board Members Names:

Paul Sharff
Chairman, Manatee County...

John Robert Redgrave
Vice Chairman, Sarasota County...

Kathy Baylis
Secretary, Sarasota County...

Bob Waechter (Ret. FF & Union Member)
Sarasota County...

Susan Miller Kelly
Manatee County..

Jack Rynerson
Manatee County...

Three of the six Sarasota-Manatee Airport Authority Board members are up for another appointment by Florida Governor Jeb Bush. Governor Bush has now got his Chief of Staff looking into the SRQ Airport Firefighters issue and more news is expected shortly from his office...

You can rest assured that this issue at Sarasota-Manatee Airport with the Airport Firefighters is just the tip of the iceberg coming to a City somewhere across America...

One has to ask the question, is the quality of service and the risk involved worth the 'gamble' with playing with cheaper, less experienced and lesser qualified Firefighters when it comes to an Airliner full of passengers that gets into trouble?

I think not...

For now, that's just MY opinion...

Matt Bruce

Managing Editor

News Sarasota.com