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10-Year-Plan
Adopted in 2001
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The Facts
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Marion County is one of the fastest growing communities in the state
with a population that has soared above 250,000 citizens.
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In accordance with the 10-Year-Plan, MCFR will hire 250 additional
firefighters by 2011, build new fire stations, relocate and renovate
existing fire stations and remodel all-volunteer fire stations to
accommodate full-time firefighters.
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The
fire assessment, which is based on benefit of service instead of
property values, increases annually to meet the demands of growth.
Commissioners established the 10-year-plan concept to spread costly
enhancements over a decade to prevent encumbering taxpayers all at
once.
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With the goal of having a minimum of five
full-time crewmembers including two paramedics at each station per
24-hour shift, response times and quality of service will improve
significantly.
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Citizens congratulated Chief McElhaney on the Grand
Opening of Golden Ocala Station 20 in June, 2004
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Salt Springs Station 15
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10-Year-Plan
Accomplishments
Since the implementation of MCFR’s 10-Year- Plan, commissioners and
fire rescue officials have upheld and even exceeded promises made to
citizens.
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October, 2007: Broke ground on Spruce Creek Station 30, a new station, located
at 7900 SE 135 Street.
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October, 2007:
Purchased 2.5 acres on SW 90 Street for $159,200 to relocated and rebuild Friendship Station 21.
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March, 2007: Staffed South Forest Station 6, formerly an all-volunteer
station, with full-time EMT and paramedic/firefighters who work
24-hour shifts, improving response in the Big Scrub, Rolling Woods
and Weirsdale areas.
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February, 2007: Celebrated the grand opening of Salt Springs Station
15, formerly an all-volunteer station, just 10-months after
officials broke ground on the two-bay, 7,200 square foot building. |
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December, 2006: Celebrated the grand opening of Rainbow Springs Station 22, now
a 13,500 square foot multi-governmental facility that also houses a Tax
Collector’s Office and Sheriff’s District Office.
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December, 2005: Celebrated the grand opening of Meadowood Farms
Station 12 after breaking ground on the 7,200 square foot station in
August, 2004.
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July, 2004: Celebrated the grand opening of Anthony Station 1,
formerly an all-volunteer station, improving emergency response
north of Ocala including Silver Meadows, Ocala Highlands, Pleasant
Manor, Dove Hill, Countryside Estates, Cross Tie Ranches and many
other neighborhoods.
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June, 2004: Celebrated the grand opening of Golden
Ocala Station 20, a relocated fire station, improving emergency
response to neighborhoods such as Ocala Park Estates, Golden Hills
and Ocala Palms.
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October, 2002: Celebrated the grand opening of The
Villages of Marion Station 10 off Highway 42, improving emergency
response in south Marion County, including The Villages of Marion,
Orange Blossom Hills, West Lake Weir, Stonecrest and Spruce Creek
South.
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2001-2007: Budgeted 179 additional firefighter positions, increasing staffing
from 173 in 2001 to 336 in 2007.
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Commissioners, firefighters, deputies and tax
collector employees celebrated the grand opening of the Rainbow
Springs Government Complex just 10-months after
officials broke
ground on the expansion project.
Meadowood Farms Station 12
Community leaders celebrated the Grand Opening of
Anthony Station 1 during a ribbon cutting ceremony in
July, 2004.
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Other Noteworthy
Accomplishments
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Spring, 2007: Marion County Fire Rescue received a 94 percent approval
rating, the highest score out of all county departments following a
citizen survey. The Institute for Social and Behavioral Sciences at
the University of Central Florida conducted the survey, asking 600
citizens their opinions about the quality of service Marion County
provides.
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March, 2007: Implemented a historic automatic aid and mutual aid
agreement between MCFR and the city of Ocala Fire Rescue to ensure
that the closest available fire rescue unit is sent to emergencies. |
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January, 2006: Implemented a formal automatic aid agreement
between Marion County Fire Rescue and The Villages Public Safety
Department to ensure the closest unit is sent to every emergency
in south Marion County. |
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Marion County Fire Rescue and Ocala Fire Rescue firefighters
participate in this joint training exercise to practice fire tactics
following a plane crash.
Goals,
Fiscal Year 2007-2008
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Marion County Fire Rescue’s new recruits take their
oath of appointment after a seven week rigorous
orientation process.
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