Under terms of a proposal by the city of Madeira Beach, Fire Station 25 in Madeira Beach would be operated by Seminole Fire Rescue.
SEMINOLE – Seminole City leaders took the first step June 9 toward a possible agreement to provide fire protection and EMS service to the city of Madeira Beach.
After a lengthy workshop discussion on the topic, city councilors decided to move forward on the proposal that would have Seminole Fire Rescue operate Station 25 on Madeira Beach.
Under terms of the proposition, Seminole would inherit 12 firefighter positions and operate the department’s 2004 Pierce advanced life support fire engine. Ten of the firefighter positions are currently filled and two are vacant.
The fire station, located at 300 Municipal Drive, would still be owned by Madeira Beach but would be operated by Seminole.
Madeira Beach Fire Chief Derryl O’Neal and fire department clerical staff would not be included in the transition.
The initial agreement would be for five years.
“The city of Seminole did not solicit this,” said Seminole City Manager Frank Edmunds. “The city of Madeira Beach city manager (W.D. Higginbotham) was soliciting information from us due to the fact that their (proposed 2009-10) budget has a shortfall.”
Edmunds said this is the “second or third request we’ve received from Madeira Beach in the last 13 or 14 years.”
Edmunds and Seminole Fire Chief Dan Graves put together a draft proposal that, if accepted, would save Madeira Beach nearly $227,000 in fiscal year 2009-10.
As part of the proposal, Madeira Beach would assist Seminole in modifying the joint fire protection services agreement with Redington Beach, North Redington Beach and Redington Shores to divert funding to Seminole that would normally go to Madeira Beach.
Madeira Beach would also assist Seminole in modifying the EMS agreement with Pinellas County to rename the Madeira Beach EMS district as part of the Seminole EMS district, diverting additional county EMS funds to Seminole.
City Councilor Dan Hester questioned whether the city would incur any additional cost due to absorbing the 10 Madeira Beach firefighters.
Edmunds explained that the firefighters would become part of the Seminole collective bargaining agreement with International Association of Fire Fighters Local 2896. The firemen would come to Seminole at their current pay and would be required to contribute 8 percent of their pay to the pension plan. On the flip side, the firefighters are currently paying for their insurance and would have that paid for by the city of Seminole.
“All of our cost to assume the fire department would be reimbursed to us by the city of Madeira Beach,” Edmunds said. “There would be no cost to the taxpayers.”
Councilor Leslie Waters wondered if the Madeira Beach equipment was in good shape or would need replacement at some point.
“Most of it is in good shape,” said Graves. “We have a replacement plan to cover it when necessary.”
As part of the contract Seminole would budget for the replacement of the Pierce fire engine, which is scheduled for replacement in 2016.
Madeira Beach city commissioners must still decide in favor of the proposal, which also must be approved at some point by the Seminole City Council.
![[Image]](/content_images/061609_smb-01.jpg)
