The BLAZE Big Corkscrew Island Fire Control

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1 A special tribute to: Big Corkscrew Island Fire Control and Rescue District! I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E : Community 1 Address Timeline and 3 Photo Gallery Final Address 7 North Collier 8 Fire Control and Rescue District The BLAZE Big Corkscrew Island Fire Control S P E C I A L E D I T I O N D E C E M B E R Years Proudly Caring for our Community 197-The Big Corkscrew Island Fire Control and Rescue District began as a neighborhood thought in 197. A group of not more than 25 or so residents felt a need to improve their level of fire service and incorporated the Big Corkscrew Volunteer Firefighters Association. Just a few years later that same group and a few new residents decided an even greater level of service was needed and petitioned the Collier County Board of Commissioners to create and independent taxing unit the Commissioners did not support their efforts. The resilient members of the Community sought out support from Representative Mary Ellen Hawkins and eventually their cause was championed through the State Legislature in the Spring of 1977 and subsequently put to a vote of the residents of the Corkscrew Island Community and its surrounding areas. On November 8, 1977 Big Corkscrew Island Fire Control and Rescue District was established 37 YES votes to 0 NO votes. Chief Steve Sellers was the Districts first Fire Chief. The department remained a volunteer organization, with what little taxes they had going towards the goal of building their first fire station. The station (known today as Station 11) would be located on land that was donated to the District, near the heart of the community. In the meantime, apparatus was housed in Volunteers backyards. The fire station was completed in 1981 and the Big Corkscrew Island Fire Control and Rescue District had a place to call home! The community and the demand for service continued to grow and in 1986 the District hired its first paid Fire Chief Robert (Bob) Siebold. The first firefighter Capt. Todd S. Olson (ret) was hired in and the department began to transition from an all Volunteer department to a combination department. In 1987 a second station (known today as Station 10) was built on land that was also donated to the District this station was supported by the community, as evidenced by their vote to increase their tax rate from 1 to 2 mills maximum, for a 3 year period. In addition to a new facility, the District purchased its first brand new fire truck with the assistance of the Avatar Committee. The residents later voted to maintain the 2 mill rate indefinitely. In November of 1991 Chief Siebold retired and Chief Frank O. Kovarik took the helm. During Chief Kovarik s tenure the department expanded from 3 paid personnel and 30 volunteers to 15 paid personnel and 20 volunteers, transitioned to 2 hour operations, added a new fire station and the vision of an administration facility. In addition to personnel and facilities,

2 P A G E 2 Chief Kovarik expanded the available apparatus to include two fire engines, two brush trucks, 1 attack truck and 1 water tender. In addition a version of the Women s Auxilia- ry was established by Chief Ko- varik the Associates (mothers and fathers of some volunteers). The Associates helped in many areas, but were most well known county- wide for running Snack 10 - a converted school bus. Snack 10 and its crew Earl and Cookie Sherman, and Don and Karen Acquard - brought Snack 10 anywhere in the County it was requested and made sure that all the firefighters and personnel on the scenes had hot food, cold drinks and a chair to relax in! Chief Kovarik passed away in March of 200. On April 13, 200 Rita M. Greenberg, was appointed to Fire Chief, by the Board of Fire Commissioners and serves as the third paid Fire Chief for Big Corkscrew Island Fire Control and Rescue District, During her tenure, Chief Greenberg oversaw the completion of the Administrative Facility that Chief Kovarik had started, updated the entire fleet of apparatus, hired a certified Emergency Vehicle Technician, and increased fulltime personnel from 15 to 31, The Great Recession began in 2008, shortly after the Districts growth spurt and together Chief Greenberg, the Board and the Union worked through the recession while maintaining service to the community. Difficult decisions were made along the way laying off personnel, accepting early retirements, and increasing the millage rate. While these decisions did not come easy, it was these decisions that ultimately helped the District weather this storm. Grants were obtained and within 8 months all personnel were back on duty. In the years since, the Board, Administration and Union have worked hard to stabilize the financial status of the District. In January 201, the Board of Fire Commissioners expressed an interest in merging with the North Naples Fire Control and Rescue District. On November, 201, the community voted to dissolve the Big Corkscrew Island Fire Control and Rescue District and have it become part of the North Collier Fire Control and Rescue District. On January 1, 2015, Chief Greenberg will continue to proudly serve the community she has been a part of since North Collier Fire Control and Rescue District Executive Chief, Rita M. Greenberg T H E B L A Z E

3 SPECIAL EDITION The District was formed on November 1977 by referendum 37 Yes and 0 No PAGE 3

4 PAGE Fire Station 10 was built in and is in the background behind the District first BRAND NEW truck above. Rescue 10,left, appeared in the movie Just Cause Fire Engine acquired by Chief Kovarik and Brush Unit at Station 11

5 SPECIAL EDITION PAGE

6 Retirement Zone (L) Fire Marshal Todd Olson 25yrs, 2010 (R) Captain Bobby Kline 20yrs, 2009 Commissioner Paul Plamondon 26yrs, 201 The citizens of Big Corkscrew Island voted to support the above referenced millage cap increase on November 2, The increase was effective 10/1/11 the Chief and Board ultimately made the decision to layoff personnel in August of A federal SAFER grant was applied for and personnel were reinstated on March 16,

7 To our Founding Fathers of 197 to our Big Corkscrew Island Community Leaders of Today: On behalf of our entire organization, I would like to thank you for the gratitude and support that you have shown us over the years. It has been a pleasure, honor and privilege to work beside the men and women of the Big Corkscrew Island Fire Control and Rescue District proudly serving our Community 201 As we end a great 0 year run, we look forward to the new era and will continue to proudly serve the members of our community under the banner of North Collier Fire Control and Rescue District.

8 North Collier Fire Control and Rescue District Fire Chief Orly C. Stolts Executive Chief Rita M. Greenberg Fire Commission Meetings Phone: nd Thursday of the 9:00am Fax: Veterans Park Drive, Station 5 Web Site: *Jan Meeting will be January 15, On January 1, 2015 the North Collier Fire Control and Rescue District will proudly serve the residents and visitors of the Big Corkscrew Island and North Naples Communities. Mission To protect lives and property in an efficient, yet effective manner, while maintaining the utmost level of respect for one another and illustrating a high standard of ethics and dedication to the care of our customers. Vision Efficient, Effective and Quality Service Today and Tomorrow To Our Residents and Visitors: Our Commitment: We are committed to meeting the needs and expectations of our residents today and in the future, to develop innovative solutions to the service delivery challenges we encounter, and to provide rapid response delivered by dedicated and caring professionals To Our Employees: We are committed to providing a working environment characterized by trust and respect, supportive of open and honest communication, and fostering professional growth, community involvement, and illustrating the highest ethical, moral and personal standards to incite public trust.