May 20--As the Destin Fire Control District faces a budget shortfall in the range of $600,000, its board of fire commissioners unanimously approved a measure that would allow firefighters to voluntarily separate from the district for a specified sum of money.
"This program would provide that fix to our deficit issue," Fire Chief Kevin Sasser said during the board's May 13 meeting.
As part of the program, which is being called the voluntary separation incentive program, firefighters can choose to separate from the district and be paid a lump sum of money.
A fully vested employee (at least 7 years) would receive a base payment of $50,000, plus an additional $1,000 for each full year of service they've worked. Only vested employees can participate.
Sasser told the board that if five firefighters chose to take part in the program, "we would balance our budget." Through his discussions with the president of the firefighters union, Sasser said there were "several people" that would consider the separation.
And while the district would lose personnel as part of the program, the goal would be to hire back replacements once the district's financial picture turned around. Once firefighters could be re-hired, the district would also save money as the new employees would be hired at lower costs.
A reduction in personnel would also mean a reduction in the manning of equipment the district uses. Sasser said the district would go from operating three trucks down to two.
But there are also other concerns about dropping manpower levels.
"Now we are putting the employees at risk," Commissioner Hillary Anderson said.
Newly elected Councilwoman Prebble Ramswell, who works for the district's beach safety program, told her colleagues on the dais that the situation is problematic for everyone.
"I don't know what we can do, but we are all going to be affected in a negative way," she said. "It's just devastating and it really concerns me -- I just don't know where we go from here, but I want to make sure everyone understands the gravity of the situation."
Former fire chief and current Councilman Tuffy Dixon shared that sentiment.
"It tears me up to see them like that," he said. "I'll tell you my heart is with that place -- It is one of the most vital services in the area."
Firefighters will have until July to decide whether or not they want to separate from the district.
"Will it be a challenge? Yes it will," Sasser said. "But this is the challenge we find ourselves in, unfortunately."
Copyright 2014 - The Destin Log, Fla.
