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The Chairman opened the floor to public comments. <br />Frank Coffey remarked that dual certification was supposed to save the County <br />money, but had resulted in increased salary packages and operating costs. <br />Wayne Chesney, Indian River County, appealed to the Board to equip Fire <br />Station 6, at the Moorings, and Fire Station 11, at CR 510 and Al A, with the same <br />amount of employees as the mainland stations. He stated there are presently a total of <br />seven (7) employees for both beach stations. <br />Bob Johnson asked why the County was purchasing State land, rather than <br />obtaining a grant to build the South County Fire Station at 43`d Avenue. He also <br />wondered when the facility would be completed. <br />Administrator Baird explained that the State Forestry Service had decided to <br />surplus their office at that site. They offered the 3.9 acres to the County at $380,000.00, <br />fair market value. He revealed that it would take one (1) year to 18 months to build the <br />station. <br />Chairman Wheeler asked Administrator Baird to explain why there were unequal <br />levels of staffing at the fire stations. <br />Administrator Baird divulged that the County had commissioned a study <br />regarding fire consolidation, in which there was a recommendation to pull the <br />ambulances and reduce the staffing at Stations 11 and 6. The County retained the <br />ambulances, but reduced the staffing. <br />Chairman Wheeler asked Emergency Services Director John King what were the <br />manning levels at the two beach stations. Mr. King responded that Station 11 and Station <br />6 have two personnel assigned to the engine and two personnel assigned to the <br />September 5, 2007 8 <br />Preliminary Budget <br />