West Manatee Fire Rescue is ready to move forward with plans to rebuild Station 4, 407 67th St. W., Bradenton.
Commissioners met June 18 to discuss the interior layout of the proposed new building. Once completed, the new station will feature eight dormitories for firefighters, a training room, gear room, fitness room, reception area for the public and drive-thru bays large enough to house the district’s fleet in the event of a hurricane.
The new building will be able to withstand a category 4 hurricane and has enough space to house district employees and operations from the nearby administration building if that facility is damaged.
Commissioner Randy Cooper said the district’s data would be moved from the administration building to the new station because it will be a more stable structure.
The commission agreed the next step is to address the budget for the proposed structure.
The commission also discussed its public address policy. Current policy allows members of the public to fill out a comment card and speak for 3 minutes before the commission. Members of the public who wish to address the commission for a longer time or make a presentation are allowed to submit notice to the district no later than seven days before a commission meeting and be put on the agenda at the discretion of the chair.
Chairman David Bishop said, “We won’t turn away anyone who has a legitimate reason to address the board. People have a voice here.”
During the meeting, Cooper said the WMFR Association agreed to allow the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections to use the Bradenton Beach Fire Hall, commonly referred to as Station 3, as a precinct during city and general elections. Voting will be relocated from the Annie Silver Community Center, 103 23rd St. N., Bradenton Beach.
WMFR Chief Tom Sousa announced talks have begun between the district and the firefighters’ union, the International Association of Firefighters.
IAFF hosted an informational session in early June for district representatives. Sousa recommended the board have an executive session with the district’s labor attorney. A workshop was scheduled for 5 p.m. Thursday, July 16, before the regular commission meeting at 6 p.m.
In other matters:
• Sousa introduced a Cameron Frazier to the commission. Frazier was hired in early June after serving as a reserve firefighter with WMFR for 18 months.
• Manatee County public safety director Bob Smith introduced himself to commissioners. Smith has been in his post since April. He previously worked as the head of emergency management for Arlington Public Schools in Virginia and as a firefighter for 14 years.
• Sousa reported the committee created to help the district purchase a new fire-rescue boat using grant funds is in the fact-gathering phase. According to Sousa, the commission has until October 2016 to make a decision on the boat.
WMFR commissioners will next meet for a work session at 5 p.m. Thursday, July 16, at the administration building, 6417 Third Ave. W., Bradenton. A regular meeting will follow.