[The Gazette]

On Sept. 21, the Sumter County Board of County Commissioners (SCBOCC) meeting will be held at Everglades Regional Recreation Complex at 7 p.m. The SCBOCC will be discussing and voting on the recommendation presented by the Ad Hoc Fire, EMS and Transport Committee. The recommendation includes retaining the two separate fire departments, The Villages Fire Rescue and Sumter County Fire Rescue, with no consolidation and that Sumter County provides in-house countywide medical and transport (ambulance) services.

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[DaleDivine]

Subject: OPTION 9

As a citizen and resident of Sumter County I would respectfully request that the SCBOCC adopt the current Ad Hoc Fire, EMS and Transport Committee Recommendation

Retain the two separate Fire Departments, The Villages Fires Rescue and Sumter County Fire Rescue with NO CONSOLIDATION
Sumter County provide in-house county-wide medical and transport (ambulance) services.
These recommendations assure the most equitable and efficient utilization of resources.

CHOOSE OPTION 9

Also, as a show of support for Option 9, please join us 9/21 at 6:30 pm at Everglades Recreation Ctr. Hoping for a target of 500 golf carts.

[skip0358]

Couldn't agree more we have a Top Notch Fire Department with stations spread evenly throughout TV. The Ambulances belong in these Stations & in The Villages. Not waiting on a rig responding from God knows where. Much quicker response and much quicker transports. I have witnessed the delay first hand for my own Granddaughter. I served for 42 years in an FD on Long Island before moving here and went thru the same problems with delayed response from Community Ambulance. We wound up adding our own Ambulances in each of our 3 Stations, Problem solved. Listen to what the FD wants period! They're well trained and provide outstanding service.

[dougawhite]

To non-polititians the answer is pretty obvious. Keep the VDPS system intact and add to their responsibilities the transportation of patients. Also, the work should begin now to create an Independent Special Fire Control District to encompass all of The Villages territory per Florida Statute 191.