The City of Fort Myers operates several different types of firefighting units allocated between 6 Fire Stations with firefighter staffing below recommended levels and units shut down.
Scroll down to view more information about the types of units the City of Fort Myers Fire Department operates to protect you and your family.
Is it okay if the city reduces staffing or shuts down units near your Family, Business or Loved Ones? Take a moment to read this post and view the video below to see what can happen when units are UNDERSTAFFED .
Engine — This is a large truck that provides fire suppression and medical response. Most engines are considered staffed when they have a crew of 4 Firefighters. Some large cities have 5 or 6 assigned to an engine.
In 2008 Engine 11, Engine 12, Engine 13, Engine 14, Engine 15, and Engine 16 responded to a total of 10,656 requests for service. The City of Fort Myers Fire Department reduced staffing on these units from 4 Firefighters to 3 Firefighters in March 2009.
Ladder / Truck — This unit has a 100-foot ladder and has the same capability as an engine. The Ladder can provide elevated hose streams as well as an elevated ladder for rescue. The Truck provides an elevated ladder with an enclosed basket to hold personnel and victims. Most cities use 5 people on these apparatus, with a minimum of 4.
In 2008 Ladder 12 and Truck 16 responded to 1508 requests for service. The City of Fort Myers CLOSED one of these units down and now staffs the ONE remaining Ladder with 2 Firefighters.
Squad/ Rescue — “CLOSED / SHUT DOWN” The squad, a smaller truck, is a workhorse in the City of Fort Myers Fire Department. This unit provides primary Paramedic emergency medical response. The City of Fort Myers did staff this style truck with 2 firefighters which is normal staffing for this type of machine.
The City of Fort Myers CLOSED / SHUT DOWN the two rescue units in September 2009. In 2008 Rescue 11 and Rescue 13 responded to 4587 requests for service. These calls will now have to be absorbed by other units, go uncovered, or require a mutual aid response if no other City of Fort Myers Fire Department apparatus are available.
Specialty units — The Technical Rescue Team (TRT), Haz-Mat Team, Marine and Brush Fire units have specialized equipment to deal with emergencies such as a water rescue from the river, response in the aftermath of a hurricane or tornado, or wildland/brush fires. The City of Fort Myers Haz-Mat Team deals with calls relating to methamphetamine labs, anthrax scares, hazardous materials spills, gas leaks and other unknown substances. Because of limited staffing other apparatus will have to be shut down to fully staff the TRT, Marine, and Haz-Mat Team when needed.
In 2008 these units responded 483 requests for service. The specialty units are now staffed by shutting down other units creating a large gap in coverage and protection of the City of Fort Myers.
