03/19/14 Special District Faciilties Report GOLDEN,_.,
GATE GOLDEN GATE FIRE CONTROL AND RESCUE DISTRICT
14575 Collier Boulevard • Naples, FL 34119 •(239) 348-7540 • (239) 348-7546 FAX
RESCUE http://www.ggfire.com
f t r C
March 20, 2014
Clerk of the Circuit Court
Attn: Derek Johnssen
3299 Tamiami Trail East, Suite 401
Naples, Florida 34112
The following report required under Chapter 189, F.S. is enclosed:
1. Public Facilities Report
Our Family Protecting Yours
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SPECIAL DISTRICT FACILITIES REPORT
March 19, 2014
The Golden Gate Fire Control & Rescue District currently operates out of four (4)
stations. Station 71 is located at 100 13th Street S.W., Station 72 is located at 3820 Beck
Boulevard and Station 73 is located at 14565 Collier Boulevard. Stations #71, #72 and
#73 are owned by the Fire District. The fourth station, Station 70 is located at 4741
Golden Gate Parkway. In 1991 this station was replaced and expanded in a joint venture
funded by both the Fire District and Collier County to now include space for a sub-station
for Collier County Sheriff and Collier County EMS. The Collier County Sheriff's
Department moved out and into a larger facility during April 2002. The County and the
Fire District signed a lease agreement that includes an option to buyout the County and
lease space back to them.
On March 5, 2007, the administrative offices housed at Station 70 moved to their new
location at 14575 Collier Boulevard. Administrative staff is currently at four (4). In
addition to the administrative staff the District currently has one (1) 40 hour training
captain, one (1) 40 hour logistics captain, two (2) 40 hour fire inspectors and two (2) 40
hour fleet vehicle technicians. An operations facility (Station #73 - 14565 Collier Blvd.)
which opened in April 2007 is located on the same site as the administrative offices.
Station#73 has the capacity to house ten (10) firefighting personnel. Currently Station 73
includes an assigned staff of five (5) shift personnel twenty-four hours a day, which
includes one (1) shift supervisor. Equipment assigned to Station 73 includes the
following: one (1) Class A engine, one (1) 6x6 brush truck and one (1) USAR Type II
Light Technical Rescue Trailer, one (1) Haz-Mat decon trailer, as well as a Ford pickup
towing vehicle.
Station 70 includes an assigned staff of four (4) paid personnel twenty-four hours a day.
Currently the apparatus assigned to Station 70 includes the following: one (1) Class A
rescue engine, one (1) mini-pumper, and one (1) 3,000 gallon tanker with fire fighting
capabilities.
Station 71 includes an assigned staff of four (4) paid personnel twenty-four hours a day.
Equipment housed at this station includes the following: one (1) Class A engine, one (1)
4x4 brush truck with CAFS system, one (1) 3,000 gallon tanker with fire fighting
capabilities and two (2) reserve Class A engines. The expansion of this station was
completed in July 2002 and has the capacity to house eight (8) firefighting personnel.
The expansion of Station 71 also provided a workshop area for the District's two (2) fleet
vehicle Technicians.
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Special District Facilities Report
Golden Gate Fire Control & Rescue District
Page 2
March 19, 2014
During 2003, the Golden Gate Fire District was successful in purchasing property and
securing permits for the construction of Station 72 located at 3820 Beck Boulevard which
has the capacity to house nine (9) firefighting personnel and officially opened its doors in
February 2004. Currently Station 72 houses an assigned staff of four (4) paid personnel
twenty-four hours a day. Equipment housed at this station includes the following: one
(1) eighty-five foot tower Class A aerial, one (1) Class A engine, one (1) 6x6 brush truck
and one (1) reserve Class A engine.
During 2005 the Fire Board approved purchase of the GIS software to use in targeting the
location of new fire stations. The goals are for all residents to be within a five mile
driving distance of a Golden Gate Fire Station.
During 2006 the Fire District was reviewed by Insurances Services Organization which
included the approval of a tanker shuttle program that covers areas in the District that are
within 5 driving miles from a fire station but do not have hydrants installed. These areas
now have a new ISO rating of 4 in place of the 9 they previously were rated at. All
homes beyond 5 driving miles are rated at a 10. Each insurance company independently
determines what the actual policy rating number will be.
Impact fees and increases in ad valorem taxes will continue to be used to pay for capital
growth items plus working with new developers, when possible, to provide facilities
and/or equipment. In February 2006, the Golden Gate Fire Board adopted a resolution to
accept the 2005 Impact Fee Study which recommended an increase in impact fees.
In fiscal year 2008/09 the District's ad valorem tax dollars declined by approximately
$212,000.00. This is the first time tax dollars have decreased since its creation as an
independent fire district in 1983. This was caused by the decline of property value and
new State legislation. In fiscal year 2009/10 property values continued to decline. The
fire board approved an increase in the District's taxing millage rate which increased the
declining ad valorem tax dollars over the previous fiscal year by approximately
$392,000.00. Property value continued to decline in fiscal year 2011/12 which caused a
decrease in tax dollars over the previous fiscal year by approximately $847,301.00. The
poor economy has caused a significant decline in new construction which has drastically
cut the amount of impact fees received by the District. This in turn has created the need
to make almost all capital asset loan payments with ad valorem tax dollars which had
previously been paid with impact fee funds. A slight increase was seen in property value,
approximately 1.5% during fiscal year 2012/13.
Special District Facilities Report
Golden Gate Fire Control & Rescue District
Page 3
March 19, 2014
In fiscal year 2011/12 the District started seeing a slight increase in impact fees received.
Impact fees continued to increase slightly during fiscal year 2012/13. These increases are
not significant enough to make a difference on the amount of ad valorem tax dollars used
for capital asset loan payments.
Currently no existing facilities are planned for replacement within the next ten years.
The Fire District has property set aside for future growth through the G.A.C. Land Trust
Fund. One piece is located near the intersection of Golden Gate Boulevard and Desoto
Boulevard and the second piece is located in the northwest corner area of Everglades
Boulevard and I-75. These properties are not large enough to accommodate a fire station.
As a result, the District is seeking alternatives that will secure property for a future
station. Location of a fire station in the area of lot" Avenue Southeast and Everglades
Boulevard would help meet the District's goal of covering the eastern part of the District
within 5 driving miles of a fire station. Plans to actually construct another fire station
continue to remain on hold due to the decline of ad valorem tax dollars and impact fees.
Big changes were made during 2013 for the Golden Gate Fire District with the combining
of both Golden Gate and East Naples fire district's administrative staffs. There are more
changes planned for both of the fire districts. The Golden Gate and East Naples Fire
Boards are diligently working towards consolidating the two fire districts. A referendum
will be on the November 2014 General Election ballot to enable the residents to vote on
this very important issue.
In the fiscal year of 2012/13 the Golden Gate Fire Control & Rescue District responded
to 6539 calls for service. This represents an increase of 8% over the fiscal year of
2011/12. The primary reason for the increase of 481 calls for service is a more numerous
population to protect.
The Golden Gate Fire Control & Rescue District remains committed to the goal of having
a minimum of four(4) personnel at every fire or emergency scene within five (5) minutes
of call out.