Public Safety: A Top Priority for Our Community

Public safety is paramount for our community. By adopting innovative strategies and reducing unnecessary costs, we can enhance services without raising taxes, as evidenced by the current practices in Collier County.

The Greater Naples Fire District has seen substantial revenue growth, with income doubling in recent years and impact fee collections reaching unprecedented levels. Despite this, the district is seeking a tax increase. Our issue lies not with revenue, but with spending.

Key Areas for Improvement

• Support Our Personnel: Ensure that emergency personnel are well-compensated and can afford to live within the communities they serve.
• Optimize Response Protocols: Avoid dispatching multiple emergency vehicles for single incidents unless absolutely necessary.
• Prioritize Emergency Vehicle Use: Allocate the appropriate resources for each call. For instance, a costly fire truck with a full crew should not be sent for non-emergency tasks such as assisting a senior citizen who has fallen.
• Collaborate with Other Agencies: Combine efforts with other emergency service agencies in areas like maintenance, purchasing, and human resources to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
• Consolidate Emergency Services: I will work towards consolidating services to eliminate redundancy and enhance coordination among agencies.