The advisory committee that is examining the Escambia County fire safety system is finishing its report. County commissioners will get it in the next two-three weeks.
Three commissioners are up for election in 2008 – Mike Whitehead, Marie Young and Kevin White so the volunteers may try to exert political pressure on them. White and Whitehead may be the vulnerable. White – because there are so many VFDs in his district. Whitehead – because he will be in a close race with Wilson Robertson. Young will be the swing vote.
Predictions on report:
- Escambia County will not go to all paid firefighters – the County is under too much pressure to rollback tax rates and make cuts.
- The volunteers will fall under the county fire marshall. There will be centralized accounting, training and reporting systems. The VFDs will lose some of their independence.
- The daily newspaper will report on the report – and ignore IN, WEAR, WUWF and this blog.
Folks, county fire safety system can’t remain as it is.