Share this story | More Date of Issue: June 10, 2009 Four firms in running for WMFR facilities study And now there are four. The West Manatee Fire & Rescue District facilities committee has winnowed the field to four firms to conduct a needs assessment for the various facilities in the district, which includes Anna Maria Island, Cortez and northwest Bradenton. The firms will be charged with offering the district proposals for the architectural, engineering, needs assessment and design services for the district’s station and administration building. Nine firms responded to the proposal. In a meeting last week, committee members — Rosemary Backer, Fran Barford, Dave Spicer, Kerry Ward and Andy Price — reviewed the proposals and selected four firms to give oral presentations on their plans. The firms selected include Totems Architecture of Sarasota, Architect Design Group of Winter Haven, Design Team West of Bradenton and Jerry N. Zoller of Bradenton. The committee was to meet at 9 a.m. June 9, after Islander press time for the June 10, edition to discuss the proposals. Oral presentations will be offered to the committee beginning at 3 p.m. Wednesday, June 10, at Station 1, 6001 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Final ratification of the selection process will be made by the district board of commissioners. The next fire district commission meeting will be at 6 p.m. June 18 at Station 1.