Fire Study Delayed Until Dec. 31

BROOKSVILLE - A comprehensive study examining the county's fire departments has been delayed two weeks to give the project consultant more time to review data.

The report was supposed to be out Dec. 15 but Oregon-based Emergency Services Consulting Inc. (ESCI) is now saying it will be closer to Dec. 31, Interim County Administrator Larry Jennings told county commissioners at Tuesday's meeting.

The county is paying ESCI about $100,000 to complete an unprecedented comprehensive master plan study of the county's fire and emergency operations.

The study will analyze Spring Hill Fire Rescue District, Hernando County Fire Rescue District, Brooksville Fire and all volunteer agencies.

Resident Mary Evelyn Reid, a close follower of fire departments, told commissioners she was under the impression that a preliminary draft of the study is circulating and that decisions had already been reached.

Jennings said no decisions have been discussed and won't be until all stakeholders have seen the finished audit study.

County Attorney Garth Coller stressed that the public will not have access to the study until the required period of time relating to public audits has expired, which would likely be sometime in January.

County Commissioner David Russell said he has not seen any drafts of the report.

ESCI Senior Vice President Phil Kouwe was guarded when asked specifics during a recent phone interview.

That's mostly because all the puzzle pieces are not complete enough to issue a final recommendation, Kouwe said.

One of the major questions to be answered from this master plan study will be whether it makes sense to merge the Spring Hill Fire Rescue District with the county.

From a financial standpoint, the consolidation idea has merit, Kouwe said. But before he renders a final opinion, Kouwe said he needs to look at the future needs of Spring Hill, including staffing, resources and other variables.

In its preliminary fiscal analysis draft issued earlier this year, the consultant made a strong case for merging the county's two largest emergency providers: Spring Hill and HCFRD.

Meanwhile, ESCI is scheduled to give a formal presentation of the study to county commissioners at their Jan. 15 meeting, Peggy Prentice, audit services director, said.