Additional personnel, equipment, facilities, among Cape Coral Fire Department’s projected needs
A proposed personnel growth plan was among the items the Cape Coral Fire Department brought forth to City Council during the first day of the budget workshop Wednesday.
Acting Fire Chief Michael Russell presented the fire department’s master plan, which includes items from the Accreditation Recommendation Action Plan. He said they received 16 recommendations for improvement, some of which have been completed as there was no cost associated with them.
“We took those recommendations and utilized a third party to take a neutral look and develop an action plan,” he said.
The presentation highlighted a personal growth plan — a first-time developed plan, interactive growth model, future fire station land plan, and ISO requirements.
“Where the department was headed gave us a 10-year picture of an organizational build-out of what personnel will look like. It’s a good planning tool for financing,” Russell said.
A second phase of the interactive growth model is in development as it will provide a more finite tool as to specific locations and call volumes for future stations. He said it will help in the where and when they should plot fire stations in the future.
Russell said they are working on securing land for future stations for the build-out, so every future administration will have the land to do so.
“We are working with real estate to secure them in general areas that we would need future fire stations,” he said.
The proposed projects began with a build in fiscal year 2028 to fiscal year 2031. Those ranged from fire station 14 build, located at Santa Barbara and Kismet in the Hudson Creek area, to a centralized logistics facility.
The six-year capital plan includes Accreditation Recommendations, such as fleet sustainability, direct capture bay exhaust system removal, special operations heavy rescue equipment, high water rescue boat and trailer, high water rescue vehicle and hazardous materials analyzer replacement.
Russell said fire service cancer has been the forefront of occupational diseases, as exhaust fumes from the apparatus seep into the building. He said the removal of diesel particulate will go through a tube system that attaches to the exhaust.
As far as the Special Operations heavy rescue equipment, Russell said they are not equipped, or trained properly for such areas as technical rescue, urban search and rescue or the dive program.
Lessons learned from the recent hurricanes are that flooding happens in the west and south areas of Cape Coral. With the addition of a high-water rescue boat and trailer, and addition of another high-water rescue vehicle, Russell said they can capture the proper response to high water rescue in the city.
Mayor John Gunter said they should consider putting a high-water vehicle and high-water rescue boat and trailer on the priority list.
“To me, that is something we need to have like yesterday to make sure we have that equipment and tools available for the first responders. That is something we need to strongly take a look at to make sure you have the equipment you need to respond. That is a need,” he said.
The proposed personnel growth for fiscal year 2026 includes a data analyst, logistics manager, rescue 13 staff — four individuals, Special Operations Services — three individuals; one fire training lieutenant and three positions for fire prevention.
Russell said they have no data analyst. The position is a recommendation through the accrediting body, as they could analyze data to better provide services to the public.
The plan is to add a rescue unit to Station 13 and then add secondary units to various fire stations that do not have them in a phased in approach when call volumes rise to a certain level.
A proposed personnel growth for fiscal year 2027 was also given, which included 11 positions.
Russell said they are also analyzing if it would be beneficial to change from a minimal staffing to optimal staffing. He said every time they are at a minimal level, they hit overtime if they have to back fill the positions.
“I don’t have a plan to give to you yet. We are thinking about it to see if it is a viable plan,” Russell said.