SRQ Airport FF Privatization, Union Gone October 1st...
SRQ IAFF 2546 Airport FF Privatization - Nothing New...Union Firefighters Out Oct. 1st...
SARASOTA, FL., September 19, 2006 (NS)–
I have just spent about 2 hours at both an IAFF 2546 Protest and Picket as well as the Sarasota-Manatee Airport Authority Board Meeting…
What I experienced was indeed something I was honored to be a part of. First I saw at least ‘200’ Brother and Sister Suncoast Firefighters and Paramedics holding up signs wearing red IAFF 2546 Protest teeshirts…
Firefighters from as far away as Miami, West Palm Beach, Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater joined with their Brothers and Sisters protesting the Privatization action being taken by the SRQ International Airport...
Bob Carver, President of the Florida Professional Firefighters Association was also present to make comments at the Airport Authority meeting. He called on the Governor to have the State Fire Marshal investigate the new company, Rural-Metro, and see to it all Florida qualification laws are being met...
Then I had the opportunity to speak before the Airport Board Authority rendering my opinion on the Privatization of the SRQ Intl Airport issue…
I pointed out that over 300 years of Firefighting experience was being lost in this process. That experience will and can never be replaced…
The counter point made by Mr. Fred Piccolo, SRQ Airport Mgr, was they were getting 125 years of structural firefighting experience and over 175 years of aircraft firefighting experience…
I also pointed out that the new company, Rural-Metro, had placed a 10 year firefighter as their Training Officer. With myself being a former Fire Safety and Training Officer, I pointed out it was my Fire Department's stand operating procedure to require a minimum of '15' years experience, have the rank of Captain, and then you had to take the 120 hour month long Fire Safety and Training course at the State's Fire Academy. None of which is being required of this Rural-Metro "Training Officer"...
In light of the Terrorist attacks of 9/11/2001, if you’re a Terrorist sitting over in Afghanistan, Iran or Pakistan just watching and waiting, doesn’t the SRQ International Airport now seem like a ‘target’ after October the 1st, 2006???
Charges and counter charges were hurled at both sides during the open discussion and nothing seems to have been gained by either side…
It’s obvious from where I was sitting that Mr. Fred Piccolo and the Sarasota-Manatee Airport Authority had already made up their mind…
Is this issue dead yet? I really don’t think so…
In speaking with the IAFF President Mike Stephenson and Business Agent Merve Kennell, it appears there may be a legal avenue about to be pursued…
There was one Political Candidate present, David Shapiro (D) running for FL State Rep. in the 70th District. He saw things in a slightly different light from what being presented and he came out in support of the IAFF 2546 Firefighters…
There were several public speakers who were all given 5 minutes, but perhaps the best moment came when Jean McElmurray took the podium after serving many years at the Airport Authority as a Commissioner. She was very strongly in support of keeping the same IAFF 2546 SRQ Airport Firefighters on the job. She even offerred the SRQ Airport Authority what seemed to be a fair way to liquidate some of their rental property, including a $500,000 home not being lived in by the SRQ Airport Mgr. and then use the funds to keep the current Firefighting staff…
So now the time has come for those who seek new legislation to once again make the Airport Authority Commission an elected position, to start gearing up for the process…
There will be 3 Airport Commissioners up for reappointment this year in November by FL Gov. Jeb Bush. The IAFF 2546 has asked all residents call Gov. Bush’s office and ask them not to reappoint these individuals and in fact start over with new people…
It’s apparent that there is a problem at the SRQ International Airport which also includes various Businesses paying all the taxes for the buildings they occupy, while the SRQ Airport enjoys many non paying tax priviledges…
It began to appear to me from what I have heard and was hearing that these people had made their mind up even before the meeting of August the 15th when the vote was taken to accept the Rural-Metro private Firefighting Company bid...
But one thing does appear certain right now and that is the IAFF 2546 Airport Firefighters are out of a job at Sarasota-Manatee International Airport as of October 1st, 2006...
Now the time is way past due for the people to stand up and be heard in this issue. To find out how and what you can do to help, call 941-485-5193 or go to: http://www.iaff2546.com
For Now, That’s Just The Way It Is…
Matt Bruce
Managing Editor
News Sarasota.com
Host Of "The Captain's AMERICA" Radio Show
