FY24 Annual Report

Sarasota County Fire Department

ANNUAL FY 2024 REPORT

MESSAGE FROM THE FIRE CHIEF I am immensely honored to present the Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Report.

In February 2024, we became internationally accredited by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International. While this is an achievement worth celebrating, it is also only the beginning of years of continuous improvement to come.

Fire Chief David Rathbun

I have communicated before that increasing firefighter staffing on the remaining two-person engine companies is my top priority. In FY24, Engine 3, located on Lido Key, received a third firefighter as part of its daily staffing model.

This helps our marine and fire rescue response by supporting more efficient crossstaffing of the fire rescue boat, which requires a minimum of three personnel to operate.

With the support of our County Commission and County Administration, we have completed the design phase, issued the purchase order and the notice to proceed for the Regional Fire Training Academy.

This is a major milestone as we plan for construction and aim for a project completion date of Summer 2026.

On March 22, 2024, we celebrated the grand re-opening of Fire Station 23, newly constructed to replace a 30+ year old facility in Nokomis to increase functionality and resistance to wind and flood waters.

In FY24, we added a research statistician position to our team to increase our ability to make datainformed decisions. An analysis of our call processing data led to a change in the dispatch process for call handling. Partnering with the Sheriff’s Office Emergency Operations Bureau, we reduced call processing time by 60 seconds. This allows us to provide service one minute faster to patients requiring life-saving service when seconds matter.

Equipping our first responders with necessary equipment is critical to carrying out our mission. The current portable radios used by our first responders have reached their end of life and replacement with the latest technology will increase resiliency in communications.

This year, ballistic protective equipment was provided to all SCFD first responders to provide greater protection when responding to potentially violent situations such as active shooter and hostile event responses. We also initiated a safety review of our structural firefighting gloves after a firefighter hand injury occurred during a structure fire. This led to the identification of a larger issue that may have been prevented with the replacement of structural firefighting gloves. Departmentwide replacements are now underway.

Sarasota County Fire Department Annual Report

01

Over the summer of 2024, we reinstated the SCFD open houses to foster community engagement and to provide risk reduction services such as fire and life safety education, CPR trainings, bike helmet fittings, car seat installations, demonstrations, and more. These monthly open houses will continue at rotating fire stations across our community.

In FY25, we look ahead to the grand opening of a new Fire Administration Building, conversion of Medic 1 to a second transport unit at Fire Station 1, adding a third person to Engine 4 and Engine 6, beginning the transition of Fire Station 7 back into Sarasota County, a fire station location study, and much more. I am excited about where we have been and where we will go in this next year, and I am thankful to our members and citizens for advocating for excellence in all we do.

Sincerely,

David Rathbun

Leadership Philosophy Get there quick. Take care of business. Do so at a reasonable cost.

Sarasota County Fire Department Annual Report

02

TABLE OF CONTENTS MESSAGE FROM THE FIRE CHIEF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2 SARASOTA COUNTY LEADERSHIP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 MISSION AND VALUES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 SARASOTA COUNTY AT A GLANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

BY THE NUMBERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-10

OFFICE OF THE FIRE CHIEF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 WORKFORCE HIGHLIGHTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 COMMUNICATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 ORGANIZATIONAL CHART . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 ACCREDITATION AND CREDENTIALING . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-14

OPERATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES OPERATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-18 FIRE OPERATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19-20 SPECIAL PROGRAMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21-26 9/11 REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 HURRICANE RESPONSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

ADMINISTRATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 SAFETY AND WELLNESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 TRAINING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31-32 LOGISTICS & CAPITAL PROJECTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 COMMUNITY RISK REDUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34-36 ACHIEVEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

SARASOTA COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS District 1 Teresa Mast

District 2 Mark Smith

Michael A. Moran

District 3 Tom Knight

District 4, Chair Joe Neunder

District 5, Vice Chair Ron Cutsinger

Neil Rainford

Term Ending Nov 2024

Term Ending Nov 2024

SARASOTA COUNTY ADMINISTRATION

County Administrator Jonathan R. Lewis

Deputy County Administrator and Chief Financial Management Officer Steve Botelho

Director, Emergency Services Richard A. Collins

Assistant County Administrator Mark Cunningham

Assistant County Administrator Brad Johnson

MISSION & VALUES

MISSION STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY THROUGH A NETWORK OF SKILLED PROFESSIONALS DEDICATED TO SAVING LIVES AND PROTECTING PROPERTY

VALUES SERVING OUR COMMUNITY WITH P.R.I.D.E. PROFESSIONALISM RESPECT INTEGRITY DEDICATION EXCELLENCE

AT A GLANCE

472

59%

Agriculture / Wildland / Open Space

29%

Residential

12%

Commercial / Industrial

415K

341K

Permanent Population

+72K

Seasonal Population

25

ISO

4

Fire Stations

Class 2/2Y

Battalions

Square Miles

Population

Sarasota County Fire Department Annual Report

10

Resource Hospitals

06

67,414

BY THE NUMBERS 2020

2021

Total Calls for Service

2022

2023

2024

70000

67,414

20000

68,078

30000

65,635

40000

61,831

50000

60,527

60000

10000 0

Other* 3.1%

Vehicle Accident 6.2% 4,193

Fire 9.7%

2,086

6,590

54,545

EMS 81%

*Other includes Hazmat, Wildfire, Marine, and Tech Rescue

BY THE NUMBERS

Battalion 1

Incidents

Station 1

8,582

Station 2

5,091

Station 3

1,733

Station 4

5,182

Battalion 2

Incidents

Station 7 (East Manatee)

487

Station 8

Station 9

Station 10

Station 5

Station 6

TOTAL

Battalion 4

Incidents

Station 11

6.197

Station 21

7,009

Station 12

5,167

Station 22

4,761

Station 13

2.298

Station 23

3,208

Station 14

4,108

Station 26 (North Port)

2,154

Station 71 (Englewood)

1,007

Station 73 (Englewood)

1,216

TOTAL

19,352

5,220

958

Station 15

2,561

TOTAL

20,331

3,701

4,416 Station 17

Incidents

4,253

5,958 Station 16

Battalion 3

3,819

30,692 Station 18

162

Station 19

145

TOTAL

18,745

110,853 TOTAL UNITS DISPATCHED

89,120* TOTAL UNITS ARRIVED ON SCENE

*Units arrived on-scene excludes units cancelled en-route. Responding units may be canceled en-route when a closer unit becomes available or on-scene units determine additional units are no longer needed.

SCFD FACT: The number of units that respond is determined by the call type and acuity level.

BY THE NUMBERS UNIT

A-SHIFT

B-SHIFT

C-SHIFT

TOTAL

Rescue 1

1,446

1,380

1,402

4,228

Rescue 5

1,164

1,121

1,211

3,406

Rescue 4

1,042

1,072

1,050

3,164

Rescue 11

1,051

1,018

999

3,068

Rescue 2

1,036

1,003

989

3,028

Rescue 12

1,014

997

978

2,989

Rescue 6

897

869

881

2,647

Rescue 9

849

776

819

2,444

Rescue 17

741

737

706

2,184

UNIT

A-SHIFT

B-SHIFT

C-SHIFT

TOTAL

Rescue 22

777

784

790

2,351

Medic 1

650

665

550

1,865

Rescue 14

780

743

782

2,305

EMS 2

244

303

82

629

Rescue 21

714

691

666

2,071

EMS 3

162

154

119

435

Rescue 27

723

692

646

2,061

EMS 1

114

62

81

257

Rescue 8

726

705

747

2,178

TOTAL

1,170

1,184

832

3,186

Rescue 16

763

758

766

2,287

Rescue 15

535

502

554

1,591

Rescue 26

423

402

427

1,252

Rescue 23

567

579

548

1,694

Rescue 29

527

491

496

1,514

Rescue 13

407

442

420

1,269

Rescue 73

392

389

432

1,213

Rescue 3

369

348

393

1,110

Rescue 71

325

343

339

1,007

Rescue 10

225

228

211

664

TOTAL

17,493

17,070

17,162

51,725

Sarasota County Fire Department Annual Report

09

BY THE NUMBERS UNIT

A-SHIFT

B-SHIFT

C-SHIFT

TOTAL

Engine 5

821

801

684

2,306

Engine 11

795

775

692

2,262

Engine 21

734

707

755

2,196

Engine 12

746

748

684

2,178

Engine 4

682

714

622

2,018

UNIT

A-SHIFT

B-SHIFT

C-SHIFT

TOTAL

Engine 22

661

705

665

2,031

Battalion 3

205

127

141

473

Engine 9

623

604

622

1,849

Battalion 1

165

115

117

397

Engine 2

659

585

562

1,806

Truck 11

121

126

147

394

Engine 14

625

566

612

1,803

Battalion 2

125

135

103

363

Engine 1

554

662

546

1,762

79

107

144

330

Engine 17

517

579

539

1,635

Truck 1 (Tiller) Squad 8

101

99

102

302

Engine 6

533

494

472

1,499 Truck 9

95

111

92

298

Engine 8

518

477

415

1,410

Engine 16

485

457

446

1,388

Battalion 4

91

82

73

246

Engine 13

326

332

371

1,029

County Fire 60

80

110

56

246

Engine 15

322

335

313

970

Tanker 16

12

7

7

26

Engine 26

323

269

310

902

Tanker 10

8

5

9

22

Engine 3

198

224

201

623

TOTAL

1,082

1,024

991

3,097

Engine 7

143

176

168

487

Engine 24

126

125

128

379

Engine 10

91

96

85

272

Engine 18

41

70

51

162

Engine 19

44

56

45

145

TOTAL

10,567

10,557

9,988

31,112

Sarasota County Fire Department Annual Report

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OFFICE OF THE FIRE CHIEF

Workforce Highlights

Communications

Personnel

Uniformed Personnel

Civilian Personnel

620

551

69

Followers

80,904

Media Impressions Engagements

280

+13 Million

Reach

10.5 Million

OFFICE OF THE FIRE CHIEF

SCFD ORGANIZATION CHART

ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST

David Rathbun FIRE CHIEF

ACCREDITATION MANAGER

Ian Emmons DEPUTY CHIEF OF OPERATIONS

BATTALION CHIEF PLANNING FIRE RESEARCH STATISTICIAN

ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST

Darin Wallentine DEPUTY CHIEF OF ADMINISTRATION

FISCAL YEAR 2024

BATTALION CHIEF SAFETY/RECRUITMENT

ASST. CHIEF FIRE OPS (3 - A,B,C SHIFT)

ASST. CHIEF EMS

ASST. CHIEF SPECIAL PROGRAMS

ASST. CHIEF TRAINING

ASST. CHIEF LOGISTICS/CAPITAL PROJECTS

SPECIALS OPS CAPTAIN

FIRE/EMS TRAINING CAPTAINS (2)

LOGISTICS BATTALION CHIEF

WILDFIRE MITIGATION SPECIALISTS (2)

EMS TRAINING CAPTAIN

LOGISTICS CAPTAIN

FIRE PLANS EXAMINERS (4)

LIFEGUARD MANAGER

TOTAL (A,B,C SHIFT) ISO CAPTAINS (3)

FIRE LOGISTICS TECHNICIAN

FIRE SAFETY INSPECTORS (9)

EMS LOGISTICS TECHNICIAN

ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST

LIFEGUARD LIEUTENANTS (8)

WAREHOUSE COORDINATOR

PUBLIC EDUCATION COORDINATOR

LIFEGUARDS (21)

WAREHOUSE CLERKS (2)

TOTAL (A,B,C SHIFT)

TOTAL (A,B,C SHIFT)

BATTALION CHIEFS (12)

EMS CAPTAINS (9)

LIEUTENANTS (96)

WELLNESS/EMS QUALITY ASSURANCE

FIREFIGHTERS (412)

LIFEGUARD CAPTAINS (2)

FIRE MARSHAL

SUPERVISORS (2)

EMPLOYEE SERVICES ADMINISTRATOR

EMPLOYEE SERVICES SPECIALIST FIRE/EMS RECORDS CUSTODIAN REVENUE AND FISCAL SUPERVISOR OPERATIONS/BUDGET COORDINATOR

FIRE/EMS FACILITIES MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR FIRE/EMS FACILITIES MAINTENANCE SPECIALIST

$122,013,312 FY24 BUDGET

SCFD FACT: SCFD is primarily funded by non-ad valorem fire assessments, EMS ad valorem millage, impact fees and grants.

Sarasota County Fire Department Annual Report

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ACCREDITATION Sarasota County Fire Department was awarded international accreditation by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) on February 27, 2024.

SCFD is one of approximately 35 internationally accredited agencies in the state (of more than 460 fire departments statewide).

International accreditation is a commitment to the future of the department as it demands planning and continual improvement in SCFD’s response, which will directly benefit the residents and visitors of Sarasota County.

CFAI Hearing in Orlando, Florida February 27, 2024

SCFD FACT: SCFD is one of 7 Florida counties to be internationally accredited by the CFAI.

Sarasota County Fire Department Annual Report

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CREDENTIALING The credentialing process through the Commission on Professional Credentialing (CPC) helps fire and EMS leaders achieve continuous professional improvement and gain recognition for their career achievements and excellence. Pursuing a Fire Officer (FO) designation signifies a commitment to leadership and operational skills in firefighting. Visit cpse.org/credentialing to learn more.

Fire Officer Designations Captain J Nilson

Lieutenant Paul Olson

Lieutenant Johnny Rigney

Lieutenant Jesse Schilling

Designation Conferred January 15, 2024

Designation Conferred January 15, 2024

Designation Conferred February 15, 2024

Designation Conferred July 9, 2024

SCFD FACT: SCFD currently has 5 designated FOs, of less than 800 FOs worldwide.

Sarasota County Fire Department Annual Report

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In 2024, the SCFD Operations Section, which includes fire, EMS, and special programs, faced a challenging year marked by three named tropical storms and hurricanes, along with numerous other heavy rain events. These extreme weather conditions tested our team's capabilities, but our members responded with resilience and professionalism, delivering critical services to the community.

Beyond emergency response, Operations focused on enhancing service delivery and competencies through various projects. Key improvements included increased staffing on apparatus, additional paramedic certifications, more paramedics-in-charge, ongoing development of SCFD's whole blood program, and expanded special operations training across all disciplines. Our team also sought to strengthen partnerships with mutual aid, healthcare, and community organizations, reinforcing our commitment to collaboration in normal conditions and during emergencies. Looking ahead, SCFD Operations will continue prioritizing member development in both leadership and operations, and strategic planning to meet the community's evolving needs and that of a contemporary fire department.

Deputy Fire Chief Ian Emmons

Top 10 EMS Calls

Top 10 Non EMS Calls

12 00 0

10 00 0

80 00

60 00

40 00

Marine Rescue Fire - Illegal Burning Brush Fire - Small Fire - Public Service Alarm - Local Audible Elevator Rescue Structure Fire Wires Down - Arching Alarm - Fire Traffic Crash

20 00

0

Hemorrhage Heart Problem Stroke Chest Pain Unconscious Person Traffic Crash Breathing Problem Public Service - Lift Assist Fall Ill Person

Sarasota County Fire Department Annual Report

0

1000

2000

3000

15

4000

EMS OPERATIONS

UNIT

A-SHIFT

Rescue 1

1,072

Rescue 5

854

Rescue 2

B-SHIFT

C-SHIFT

2024

TOTAL

964

1,053

3,089

807

795

2,456

800

769

770

2,339

Rescue 4

755

738

762

2,255

Rescue 11

783

753

707

2,243

Rescue 12

757

695

669

2,121

Rescue 6

660

605

641

1,906

Rescue 9

630

592

638

1,860

Rescue 14

647

600

502

1,749

Rescue 17

591

596

553

1,740

Rescue 22

564

547

603

1,714

Rescue 8

549

505

538

1,592

Rescue 16

558

514

519

1,591

Rescue 21

491

538

514

1,543

Rescue 27

515

501

502

1,518

Rescue 15

421

415

420

1,256

Rescue 26

290

325

328

943

Rescue 23

338

291

313

942

Rescue 29

326

284

305

915

Rescue 73

280

276

309

865

Rescue 13

296

294

254

844

Rescue 3

285

265

282

832

Rescue 71

194

220

218

632

Rescue 10

168

169

175

512

Other

11

8

9

28

TOTAL

12,835

12,271

12,379

37,485

Sarasota County Fire Department Annual Report

37,485 EMS TRANSPORTS

16

EMS OPERATIONS

46.3% BYSTANDER CPR

32.7% RETURN OF PULSE

8.3% OVERALL SURVIVAL*

*This number represents patients discharged with good or moderate cerebral score (Florida 7.0%, National 6.6%)

SCFD FACT: SCFD exceeds the State and National average for Bystander CPR, ROSC, and overall survival to hospital discharge in non-traumatic cardiac arrests.

Sarasota County Fire Department Annual Report

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EMS OPERATIONS 371 STEMI ALERTS

637 STROKE ALERTS

352 TRAUMA ALERTS

Recognized nationwide for excellence in heart attack, stroke care, and hospital collaboration in the improvement of patient outcomes.

2,126 SEPSIS ALERTS

EMS Calls by *Primary Impression 7165

Fall / Repeated Falls Illness, unspecified Weakness Injury of Head Acute pain, not elsewhere classified Chest Pain Altered Mental Status Syncope Respiratory Distress (acute) Abdominal Pain (generalized) Nausea / Vomiting Back Pain Dizziness / Lightheadedness Fever Malaise Behavioral / psychiatric disorder Sepsis

4504 2855 1755 1657 1630 1588 1474 1316 1221 1183 1041 987 916 887 826 757 0

2000

4000

6000

8000

*Primary Impression is determined by the Lead Paramedic assessment as the patient’s reason for 911 response.

SCFD FACT: SCFD has received the highest available American Heart Mission Lifeline award 9 years in a row!

17

PARAMEDICS IN CHARGE ADDED

FIRE OPERATIONS Confirmed Structure Fires by Station First-Due Area 12

12

11 10

10

9

8 8

6

11

10

7

7

6

5

4

4

2

2

5

2

2

1

St at io n 1 St at io n 2 St at io n 4 St at io n 5 St at io n 6 St at io n 8 St at io n 9 St at io n 11 St at io n 12 St at io n 13 St at io n 14 St at io n 15 St at io n 16 St at io n 17 St at io n 21 St at io n 22 St at io n 26

0

PROPERTY SAVED

PROPERTY LOST

TOTAL

$101,941,614.12

$10,067,117.00

PROPERTY

$82,160,703.41

$7,972,903.00

CONTENT

$19,780,910.71

$2,094,214.00

Sarasota County Fire Department Annual Report

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FIRE OPERATIONS Beyond building of origin 1.79%

Object of origin 14.29% Building of origin 21.43%

Floor of origin 8.93%

Room of origin 53.57%

Containment of Fire by Origin

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

SCFD FACT: The special operations team is a state-deployable technical rescue team (TRT-647) and Type I hazardous materials team for the state of Florida (HM-6B).

Sarasota County Fire Department Annual Report

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SPECIAL OPERATIONS TEAM Hazardous Materials Response High-angle rope rescue Vehicle and machinery rescue Trench rescue Confined space rescue

69

Structural collapse Water rescue

TEAM MEMBERS

WILDFIRE MITIGATION

1,988 ACRES BURNED

29

PERMITTED BURNS

Sarasota County Fire Department Annual Report

22

MARINE OPERATIONS

47

CERTIFIED BOAT OPERATORS

392

FIRE RESCUE BOAT DISPATCHES

134

UTV DISPATCHES TO SIESTA

Sarasota County Fire Department Annual Report

23

TACTICAL MEDICS

8

TACTICAL PARAMEDICS

60

RESPONSE DRILLS

SCFD FACT: SCFD operates in partnership with Sarasota County Sheriff (SSO) and Sarasota Police Department’s (SPD) SWAT Teams.

Sarasota County Fire Department Annual Report

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LIFEGUARDS

United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) Southeast Regional Competition at Navarre Beach.

Open age group medals won by Lyons and Arnberg.

USLA National Competition at South Padre Island, Texas.

Mason Arnberg medaled in a team event with Lifeguards from Jones Beach, NY.

Lifeguard Mariano Martinez was awarded the County Superstar Award and the Fire Department Outstanding Act Award for his life-saving heroic efforts to rescue a family of seven who were swept off into a rip current in the Gulf of Mexico.

93

RESCUES

603 RESCUE ASSISTS

20

JUNIOR LIFEGUARD PARTICIPANTS

SCFD FACT: SCFD sponsors Lifeguards to attend EMT school. Two completed the program this year!

Sarasota County Fire Department Annual Report

25

HONOR GUARD

16

MEMBERS

22

EVENTS

SCFD FACT: This year the SCFD Honor Guard participated in the National and IAFF Fallen Firefighters Memorial weekends in both Emmitsburg, Maryland and Colorado Springs, Colorado.

9/11 REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY

Each year, firefighters from across the country participate in stair climbs, scaling the equivalent of 100 floors in memory of the 343 firefighters who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.

We will never forget.

HURRICANE RESPONSE Hurricanes Debby and Helene HURRICANE DEBBY MADE LANDFALL IN THE FLORIDA BIG BEND ON AUGUST 5, 2024, AS A CATEGORY 1 HURRICANE. LESS THAN 8 WEEKS LATER, HURRICANE HELENE MADE LANDFALL IN THE BIG BEND ON SEPTEMBER 26, 2024, AS A CATEGORY 4 STORM. SARASOTA COUNTY SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT FLOODING AND DAMAGE TO PROPERTIES.

642 STORM-RELATED INCIDENTS

Sarasota County Fire Department Annual Report

STORM-RELATED INCIDENTS HURRICANE DEBBY (AUG. 4-7) 364 TOTAL INCIDENTS HURRICANE HELENE (SEP. 26-29) 278 TOTAL INCIDENTS

28

Beginning in June 2024, the SCFD held its first monthly Open House. With a focus on SCFD connecting with the community, we intend to provide important safety-related information to our residents and visitors. We have invited various groups ranging from lifeguards providing beach safety materials to CPR demonstrations, public education on fire safety, free bike helmets, and car seat installations. Additionally, the SCFD is partnering with SunCoast Blood Centers Bloodmobile to encourage attendees to donate blood.

Deputy Fire Chief Darin Wallentine

The budget process underwent significant improvements to more accurately align with the department’s specific cost centers, ensuring a more precise and transparent allocation of resources. The Finance team, under the administration section, played a pivotal role in the successful execution of this revamped budget approach. The department’s critical needs were addressed, including requests for additional staffing, the introduction of new programs, and the acquisition of essential resources. These proposals are strategically aligned with SCFD’s long-term vision and objectives. The approval of these proposals marks a significant achievement for both myself and the leadership team, reflecting our commitment to enhancing the department’s operational capabilities and supporting its continued growth.

Sarasota County Fire Department Annual Report

29

SAFETY AND WELLNESS Sarasota County Fire Department twice hosted the Boulder Crest Foundation's "Struggle Well" 2-day training program for first responders within the organization and those from outside agencies. This course supports participants in building resilience and promoting personal growth through a structured approach known as post-traumatic growth.

38

“STRUGGLE WELL” PARTICIPANTS

300

MONTHLY SAFETY INSPECTIONS

99%

LIFESCAN PARTICIPATION

SCFD FACT: SCFD prioritizes mental and emotional health with a peer support team and critical incident stress management (CISM).

Sarasota County Fire Department Annual Report

30

TRAINING

OVER

122,000 TRAINING HOURS ASSIGNED

5

NEW RECRUIT CLASSES

45

NEW RECRUITS

Sarasota County Fire Department Annual Report

31

TRAINING

30

ACQUIRED STRUCTURE DRILLS

210

DRILL PARTICIPANTS

77

MULTI COMPANY DRILLS

LOGISTICS & CAPITAL PROJECTS

3

VEHICLES ADDED TO FLEET

Groundbreaking of Regional Fire Training Center

New Fire Administration Building - 50% complete

Deployment of new portable radios Re-Zone of Fire Station 27 site complete

Fire Station 23 Opening

Sarasota County Fire Department Annual Report

33

FIRE PREVENTION

83%

New Construction did not require reinspection

FY 2023 3,433 plans reviewed 1,556 construction inspections

FY 2024 3,501 plans reviewed 1,749 construction inspections

1,501 life safety inspections

1,816 life safety inspections

62,831,251 sq. ft. inspected

69,823,302 sq. ft. inspected

2,296 false alarm follow-ups

2,559 false alarm follow ups

Sarasota County Fire Department Annual Report

34

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

460

2737

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TRAINED IN HANDS ONLY CPR

SMOKE DETECTORS INSTALLED

78

347

FIRE SAFETY SCHOOL VISITS

CITIZENS TRAINED IN HANDS ONLY CPR

Sarasota County Fire Department Annual Report

35

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

629

Open House Attendees

382

Bike Helmets Fitted

20

Units of Blood donated

23

Car Seats Installed

SCFD FACT: SCFD rotates the monthly open houses at different fire stations throughout the County.

Sarasota County Fire Department Annual Report

36

ACHIEVEMENTS

Lt. S. Kinglsey, S. Sanders, Lt. T. Baker, S. Bertrand, Lt. Schilling, Capt. J. Rabish, House Framing Blessing

Dr. M. Frank, DO Florida Health Raymond H. Alexander EMS Medical Director of the Year

E. Rohde, VFW Post 3233's Firefighter of the year M. Russell, EMT Instructor of the Year

K. Paret, A. Nusser, Lt. D. Eastman, Phoenix Award

Sarasota County Fire Department Annual Report

E. Myers, Safe Kids Sarasota County Member of the Year

37

SARASOTA COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT 1660 RINGLING BLVD., SARASOTA, FL 34236 www.scgov.net | @SRQEmergencyServices

Created by Sarasota County Fire Department 11.1.24 Photo credit to Double Haul Photography, LLC. and Sarasota County Communications