SRQ Airport FF Privatization, Latest Update...

SARASOTA, FL. (TheCaptainsAMERICA/IAFF2546) -

This is the very latest information about the mind boggling and illegal activity going on at Sarasota-Manatee Internation Airport with the new Private Airport Firefighters...

See the letter of information below that follows...

To Whom It May Concern:

I have recently finished an Excel spread sheet "training audit" that I developed. I believe it clearly depicts that more than 1/2 of the new work force (provided by Rural Metro) are lacking the "State of Florida Firefighter" required certification...

I created this document from documents obtained from SRQ via our public records request for copies of all training records. They did not give us copies of their Chiefs' training records which would have been included in the original request...

The SRQ airport manager stated that Rural Metro was going to bring a wealth of ARFF firefighting experience to the Airport. My audit also reflects that the majority of new hires by Rural Metro were given ARFF training the week before they started, no other record of ARFF experience was provided. We don't know how many hours or what relevant material the course provided because the records provided to us do not indicate...

The spreadsheet also reflects that most of the new hires are not Florida certified EMT's. The reason this is important is that the super-majority of the emergency calls at SRQ Airport are medical emergencies...

What is significant about the information at hand is that the recently dismissed firefighting staff were 100% Florida Certified as Firefighters, EMT's, and with ARFF training that won them the FAA's highest rating just last year. Mr. Piccolo stated his primary reason for recommending the move to Rural Metro was to improve safety by increasing the number of "boots on the ground" from 14 to 16...

As of last week we received training records for 14 personnel, and were told by employees working in the Fire Dept that there were only 11 working there at the time. We have also been informed that some of the Firefighters are having to share PPE turnout gear because Rural Metro says they are having trouble finding a supplier...

In addition to misinforming the SMAA board as to the needed qualifications of it's Firefighters, he further indicated to the board and a local newspaper reporter who reported that he had not made up his mind until the morning of the Board meeting regarding his recommendation to award the contract to Rural Metro. Ironically, we have a copy of his personal letter to Rural Metro written several weeks prior offering congratulations to them on his decision to recommend them to the SMAA board...

While the new head of the Fire Department for SRQ has tremendous credentials, he too lacks the State Minimum requirement of "Florida Certified Firefighter" required to be a "Fire Chief" as he was incorrectly announced. By statute he cannot command a Fire scene and cannot bear the title of Fire Chief...

There is a reason for these State mandated minimum requirements that the Airport's administrator tries to diminish as technicalities and rules not having jurisdiction of the Airport. Fortunately for the citizenry, the Florida legislature had the wisdom to study the direct correlation of emergency mitigation outcomes to standardized emergency fire/rescue training requirements...

We have tremendous respect for the background and experience of the former military personnel hired by Rural Metro, including their head of operations we could legally call "Fire Administrator"...

We simply do not believe the Public has been better served by this "blue-light special" bargain replacement of it's previous loyal, professional, FAA award winning, Florida State certified Firefighter EMT's...

Please feel free to forward or post this anywhere you feel it will get exposure so that it can aid in our fight to restore the legal state certified professional Fire Rescue services to the SRQ Airport...

Respectfully,

Merv Kennell

Business Agent -IAFF 2546