Pace Fire Rescue District “Preparing for the Future”

Funding Current funding is through a Municipal Services Benefit Unit established by the Board of County Commissioners in 1989. The MSBU was revised in 2007, after 18 years and the rates increased to provide more adequate funding for the Fire Departments that were not Special Fire Districts at that time.

Funding The MSBU increase in 2007 increased the fees from $35.00 to a range of either $85.00 per $175.00 depending on the square footage of the structure for residential. Since 2007, at the rate of $85.00 per structure under 3,500 Square footage homeowners are paying .24 cents a day for Fire Services. And $175.00 per structure over 3501 square footage homeowners are paying .48 cents per day for Fire Services.

Funding (continued) Since 2007 Commercial rates are set at $0.025 sq. ft. with a $150.00 minimum. Box Store “A” currently pays $5,694.32 a year or $15.60 a day in MSBU Fire Fees. Box Store “ B” currently pays $3,851.05 a year or $10.55 per day in MSBU Fire Fees.

Funding (continued) Building Material Store “A” currently pays $3,671.10 per year or $10.06 per day if MSBU Fire Fees. Building Material Store “B” currently pays $4,994.37 per year or $13.69 per day in MSBU Fire Fees.

Calls for Service Year Calls 86% increase 2007 1517 2008 1913 2007 1517 2008 1913 2009 2035 2010 2223 2011 2417 2012 2381 2013 2551 2809 2819 86% increase

Area Protected Approximately 64 square miles. Approximately 35,000 residence This does not include citizens that commute to Santa Rosa County for work or pleasure.

Staffing 15 career line personnel. There are five (5) personnel assigned to each Watch all operating out of one (1) firehouse. 1 Fire Chief 1 Operations Chief Of the 15 line personnel three (3) are Paramedics to provide Advanced Life Support services.

Staffing Continued One Firefighter for every 2,333 Residents. Our current minimum manning is 4 personnel per watch.

Growth We have added Advanced Life Support to our services which means that citizens can receive advanced medical care sooner in many cases. There have been numerous cases documented where early intervention by Advanced Life Support care has resulted in favorable outcomes for the patients. We have entered into a joint project with Santa Rosa County Developmental Services to provide Safety Inspections for Commercial Occupancies.

Growth Continued We are in need of bringing our Station 3, located at Hwy 90 and Struth Lane, from a Fire Station that simply houses apparatus to a Fire House that can house personnel in order to provide timely responses and more adequate coverage for this part of the district.

Growth Continued Between April 22, 2015 and October 27, 2015 there were 359 calls for service in the zone that would be first due response from this station. There is also a need to start planning on another Fire House West of the Five Points area around Quintette due to the residential growth in that part of the district.

Special District Funding Flat rate fee as it is under the MSBU. Not looking to increase the current fees at this time. Any fee increases in the future would have to be approved by the Board of Fire Commissioners for the Fire District or the voters.

Impact of MSBU Funding The impact on the current MSBU funding of Fire Departments would be minimal.

If you have any questions please ask to speak with the Fire Chief.