Chief Don Adams who runs the Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Recue District says his department is being crippled by the additional work load that has been left to do with the recent resignation of an assistant fire chief who was responsible for EMT training. He told the commissioners that he needed to replace Diana Watson and add another person as a fire suppression officer, one who looks out for the safety of the firefighters.

The chief who is usually soft spoken raised his voice when he said he needed “to fill two top positions now.” The meeting was held at the Microtel Inn & Suites’ meeting room on Feb. 15.

“A previous board had already okayed the fire suppression officer but it has not been filled and there has been a vacancy since 2007. I need to pass this by you to get approval to transfer the salaries from our surplus funds. I need to fulfill both positions,” he said.

The chief said the fire suppression officer’s position had not been filled in order to save money with the pending economic downturn of the economy three years ago.

Adams said it has become apparent that the position is vital to the safety of the firefighters by providing the same type of training to all three shifts in each of the five stations by determining training needs, prioritizing training needs, development a master training scheduled, and record keeping.

He said training for EMTs was also vital for personnel to keep their licenses.

“There is too much work to be done here. We’re struggling to keep up,” Adams said.

Commissioner Kevin Shea wanted to put the item on the agenda for a March workshop, but Chief Adams said that would be too late, that he needed to fill both positions now and planned to fill them with employees who can be promoted within.

Commissioner Larry Becker said by hiring within the department, morale can be maintained and Adams said there were those within the department interested in filling the vacant positions.

The board members wanted to know about salaries that the chief was considering in filling both positions.

“We’re talking in the $80,000 to $90,000 range for each,” Adams said.

The board voted 4-1 to transfer the funding from a surplus account so the chief could move forward in filling the positions, but Commissioner David Adams said he was concerned over the money transfer, citing the tough economy.

The chief was asked what would happen to the two positions if next year, no funding comes from a SAFER grant as it did last summer and several firefighters had to be laid off again. Chief Adams said the two positions would remain.

“We cannot do without them,” he said. He said the safety of his firefighters and the EMS training are critical.

In other business, the fire board planned a workshop on March 8 from 2 to 5 p.m. to discuss a recent consultant’s study and to address concerns to do with the decrease in property values affecting future budgets. The location was not certain, but the chief said he would see if it could be held at the Microtel Inn’s meeting room where regular meetings are now being held each month.

Richard Pringle, the board’s attorney, said the District had been notified concerning the planned widening of Homestead Rd. and how it would affect land acquisition from the firehouse at 11 Homestead Rd. The chief said the space in front needed for the widening would cause more work to be done in the back of the station and fire equipment could exit and enter through the rear of the building, too.

Pringle said the fire district could expect a total of $4,350 from land it estimates it will need for the widening project.

“But we are talking about that project being years away,” Pringle said. “I am going to talk to Pat Fischer, the property acquisition agent for Lee County, and keep on top of it.”

Chief Adams presented the traditional “golden axe” to retiring firefighter Lt. J.D. Norman who has worked for the department for 25 years. His family looked on as the chief made the presentation.

The District appointed a negotiating team which included the chief and Fire Marshal Ken Bennett, the Board’s counsel, Richard Pringle, and the attorney representing labor. Pringle said the team can meet with the board behind closed doors.

“This is one of the times when a meeting can be held out of the sunshine,” Pringle said. The team will begin bargaining negotiations for the upcoming budget.

Two commissioners recommended that the District start using electronic funds transfer for paying its employees and those it sends checks to for services.

Linda Carter agreed saying that electronic transfer should be used to pay all the bills. Shea said it would take less time and save the District money to modernize the way it pays out funds.

The next public meeting of the fire district will be Thursday, March 24 at 4 p.m. at the Microtel Inn’s meeting room.