Service Demands Require Change

As the population and infrastructure in Escambia County continued to grow, the service demands placed upon firefighters continued to increase. Mandated Federal and State training requirements, diversity in services, increasing costs of apparatus and equipment, a continued increase in responses, and a decrease in personnel began to take its toll on Escambia’s fire service. It was clear that changes needed to be made.

In a show of growing solidarity, the volunteer fire departments formed the Escambia County Volunteer Firefighters Association. This association consisted of members from all volunteer departments and provided a platform to discuss operational and training issues, as well as problems facing Escambia County’s firefighters. As the Volunteer Firefighters Association began to bring down the barriers between departments and open up lines of communication, it became clear that many departments were becoming overwhelmed by operating costs, equipment shortcomings, and a declining number of personnel.

In 1983, by action of the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners, a Blue Ribbon Task Force was formed to address specific deficiencies in Escambia County’s overall fire protection, and make recommendations outlining how to correct these deficiencies. Three main issues were identified; revenue, fire prevention/life safety code inspections, and water distribution and supply.

As a result of the task force’s recommendations, the Municipal Services Benefit Unit for fire protection (MSBU) was established in Escambia County. Beginning in 1986, this became the single funding mechanism for all fire services in the unincorporated areas of Escambia County. Implementation of this non ad valorem assessment provided a means for funding all volunteer fire departments in an effective and equitable manner, and provided them with funds needed to purchase much needed fire apparatus, equipment, and stations.

The 1983 Blue Ribbon Task Force also indicated that Escambia County did not have an adequate fire prevention and life safety program. The task force’s final report recommended the hiring of fire prevention/life safety inspectors and the formal adoption of applicable fire, life safety, and building codes.

The last core problem addressed by the task force was the lack of an adequate water supply for fire protection throughout Escambia County. This is an important aspect of fire protection, as fire insurance ratings for the County’s citizens depend largely on available water supply.

In addition, the task force made recommendations concerning other related County fire protection issues. Standardization of equipment and training, paid personnel at identified locations, and the hiring of a Fire Coordinator were identified as important issues that should be addressed by Escambia County’s leadership.

In 1987, a tragic fire on Perdido Key prompted the formation of a Life Safety Committee. After thoroughly investigating the many different aspects of fire protection within Escambia County, the committee reported on their findings. Once again, inadequate fire fighting equipment, substandard fire prevention/life safety inspection procedures, and insufficient funds to support fire department operations and capital improvement projects were identified as areas of great concern. To address these problems, the committee recommended increasing the MSBU rate, borrowing funds for capital improvements, adopting appropriate building and fire codes, and hiring a County Fire Coordinator.

As a result of the 1983 Blue Ribbon Task Force, the 1987 Life Safety Committee, and the working relationship between the Volunteer Firefighters Association and Escambia County, many fire protection improvements were accomplished from 1990 through 1998. Many stations, sub-stations, fire apparatus, and essential fire fighting equipment was purchased and dispersed throughout Escambia County. During this period, the newly hired Fire Coordinator was able to coordinate the acquisition of "Community Development Block " grants to build fire stations in the Warrington, West Pensacola, and Brent fire districts.