Rural-Metro Training Questioned in Florida

November 20, 2006 –Six weeks after Rural-Metro took over fire service from 14 members of Suncoast, FL Local 2546 at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, the private provider faces numerous challenges, including maintaining minimum staffing and finding state-certified fire fighters.

The Rural-Metro contract with the Airport Authority requires it to hire 15 employees. Currently, it retains just 11 fire fighters. Two resigned and one has been placed on administrative leave – none of the three meets state training standards. In addition, a fourth left to work for a municipal fire department.

To compensate for the shortage, Rural-Metro has brought in fire fighters from other parts of the state as a temporary solution. According to the Florida State Bureau of Fire Standards and Training, individuals who fight fires in the state must pass the state’s test. Those who lack certification face substantial restrictions in what they are permitted to do.

“They have a pretty broken system over there now,” says Michael Stephensen, president of Local 2546. “The airport had 14 of our guys – all state certified – with decades of valuable experience. It was a proven, safe system. Now, there appears to be major holes in the protection airport customers are receiving.”

There has been some talk that either the airport authority or Rural-Metro will take the issue of state certification to court. However, if the Florida Bureau of Fire Standards and Training wins the case, Rural-Metro and the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport Authority will likely have to submit an evaluation of all fire fighters. If the fire fighters do not meet state standards, the private company and the airport authority will need to submit a plan for rectifying the situation in a timely fashion.

There is a chance the contract between Rural-Metro and the airport authority will be terminated. The contract states that either party can terminate the agreement anytime without cause.

In related news, three airport authority members’ terms were up this year. Governor Jeb Bush has appointed two new members and re-appointed a third. The authority members will begin serving their terms November 21. The terms expire in 2010.