Home    Chief's Desk    Commissioners    Operations    Prevention    Training    Public Education    CERT    Explorers    Local 3444 

BONITA SPRINGS FIRE CONTROL AND RESCUE DISTRICT

under the distinguished guidance of:

Fire Chief P.H. Kinsey, Jr.

"During the past year the District has faced unprecedented challenges and changes, from tax reform to new administration, while still trying to match the growth of the community.

Since accepting the position of Fire Chief on March 24, 2007, I have embraced the position and the challenges with which we are now being faced. I could not be successful without the full support of my dedicated and talented administrative and suppression staff. I thank them for their support and the Board of Commissioners for the opportunity."

“ Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more; you should never wish to do less.”

Fire Departments across the United States are buckling-down to prepare for these tough economic times. Departments are faced with tax restraints as well as budget cuts. All over SWFL, Fire Chiefs are drained and discouraged over the decisions that must be made to preserve their operations and employees while still reducing their budgets. This daunting task hasn’t been an easy one and Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District is not immune to the change.

Fire Chief P.H. Kinsey, Jr. has anticipated this challenge and took a proactive stance. His preparation was done through attrition by providing an early retirement incentive for employees that had been with the district 20 years or more, or were age 50 and older. As a result of the early retirement incentive, Chief Kinsey is able to make maintaining adequate reserves a priority and is able to augment reserves due to reduced personnel costs.

Another proactive adjustment was made though changing operational procedures to provide virtually the same level of service with a reduced work force as well as reassigning personnel to better utilize human resources. This creates a more effective working atmosphere and allows the district to accommodate needs.

The last modification affected the preservation of apparatus. The decision was made to utilize resources within the department to maintain the apparatus rather than contracting out a private vendor. From this, significant costs of labor and travel have been reduced.

Chief Kinsey states, “I think we anticipated the tax reform early. We were uncertain of what it would bring. We tried to prepare the department as early as possibly to minimize any dramatic alterations. We may be a year ahead of most of the other organizations.”

Chief Kinsey’s staff is very proud to work under such an outstanding leader. We are confident that he is planning for the future of the department and the safety of the citizens.

Philip H. Kinsey Jr., Fire Chief

Iris Roman, Administrative Director

Office Hours: Monday-Friday

8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

(239) 949-6200-Main          (239) 949-6207- Fax