Marion County Fire Rescue officials have added more than three dozen personnel to their staff in their continued effort at improving services for the county.
For fiscal year 2019/20, Marion County Board of County Commission pledged to add 60 full-time employees for MCFR so the agency could address response times, reduce overtime for current employees and at the same time decrease the workload for present workers.
Drew Rogers, MCFR training division chief, was given the job to attract the most qualified people to fill the 60 slots. Fire officials said they received 100 applications, and after interviews and testing, 58 people were accepted to the agency's training program, and became known as Training Class 519, who hopefully would become firefighters, EMTs or paramedics.
The class orientation for the 58 gathered in late October at the department's Operations and Training Complex with a paramedic protocol class. Then, in early November, some of the candidates began their dual-certified courses at the Florida State Fire College. Others began their single certified EMT and paramedic orientation at MCFR operations' building.
After seven weeks, 46 of the 58 people accepted, finished their training.
"I would first like to welcome the graduates of Training Class 519 to the MCFR family. We are very proud of your accomplishments and look forward to your many years of service to the citizens and visitors of Marion County," said Fire Chief James Banta, who thanked Rogers for assembling and training the new employees and commissioners for green lighting the plan.
The agency received a big boost earlier this year when commissioners approved a pay increase. And, with the passage of the penny sales tax several years ago, county fire officials were able to purchase much needed equipment, along with upgrading and building new fire stations.
The 46-member class, made up of single and dual certified firefighters, EMTs and paramedics who graduated on Dec. 20, was the largest training class in the department's history, fire officials said.
Ashiq Dharani, an EMT and member of the graduating class, said he has always dreamed of becoming an EMT. He called the orientation "physically and mentally draining." but never gave up.
"By following Chief Rogers three Cs of communication, commitment and challenge, I have grown into a physically and mentally stronger EMT," Dharani said. "My ultimate goal is to become a critical care paramedic, I will not stop until I achieve my goal with MCFR."
Fire officials said they're moving aggressively to add the additional 14 people. With the 60, fire officials said they would be able to staff an additional two fire base rescues, and four single-certified ambulances, which would be out in the public every day.
At the end of January, department officials said they have a dozen people attending another orientation class.
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