5 days ago
Jackson County Fire Department requests funding for staffing shortage
JACKSON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – With too few hands and too many calls, Jackson County Fire and Rescue Teams say they're challenged daily. The department is facing staffing shortages, and leaders say the number of calls is only increasing.
'Jackson County Fire Rescue has been understaffed in my estimation for a number of years. Part of that is because Jackson County's population becoming elderly and more senior. And so with that elderly population, we certainly have more calls, more need for just County Fire Rescue Staff,' Commissioner Paul Donofero said.
However, there could be a solution in the form of Florida's Coordinated Opioid Recovery or C.O.R.E. Project.
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Jackson County has received $700,000 to directly fight the epidemic.
The Northwest Florida Health Network is giving $500,000 to PanCare Health, which will provide treatment for overdoses and recovery services to addicts.
'There were 247 suspected overdoses for the fiscal year of 2023 to 2024 for Jackson County. So that number is very significant, and we want to ensure that those folks who do happen to have an overdose will receive the services they need,' Northwest Florida Health Network Behavioral Health Supervisor Lexi Harris said.
Jackson County Fire Chief Charlie Brunner wants the remaining $200,000 to create two new full-time positions in Fire-Rescue to help meet the rising demand.
'That will give us the ability to jump-start getting those positions created. And again, just wanting to be sure that we have the capability, funding-wise, to be able to fund those into the future,' Donofro said.
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C.O.R.E. funding can only be used for treatment and EMS response.
'It's not just the county getting these funds and just using it however they want. There is a structured layout of what they can use the funding for, and based on those options, the county will then make their decision on how they would like to use the funding,' Harris explained
Jackson County Commissioners will discuss Brunner's request at their June 10th meeting.
Donofro said if commissioners deny the request, they'll consider adding fire rescue positions in next year's budget.
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