2011 No. 5 story: Public safety merger

On Oct. 1 during a swearing-in ceremony in Lecanto, the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office and Citrus County Fire Rescue ushered in a new era in public safety, officially becoming “one team” with “one mission.”

DAVE SIGLER/Chronicle

Sheriff Jeff Dawsy shakes the hands of Citrus County Fire Rescue firefighters Oct. 1 as he officially welcomed them to the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office. More than 100 Citrus County Fire Rescue career and on-call firefighters were sworn in during the ceremony at Curtis Peterson Auditorium in Lecanto.

Buy this photo

The beginnings of the historical merger began in February when the Public Safety Initiative Task Force met for the first time. The 17-member group, chaired by County Commissioner Joe Meek and Sheriff Jeff Dawsy, included people with backgrounds in medical, firefighting or police agencies. The Citrus County Chamber of Commerce, Board of Realtors and Builders Association as well as the cities of Crystal River and Inverness were also represented.

The idea to form the group came after it was revealed the county’s fire rescue service was running a $1 million deficit because the special tax rate for fire had seen a significant drop in revenue with a decline in property values.

During a handful of meetings, the group was tasked with determining whether some or all public safety functions should fall under the sheriff’s control and finding innovative ways to pay for those services, which could include special taxing districts or countywide fees.

In June, Dawsy presented his plan to increase services and coverage throughout the county, provide more training opportunity and increase the ability to attract volunteers.
Commissioners voted 3-2 to hand fire-rescue operations to Dawsy.
Then in September in a 4-1 vote, the commission completed the plan, which included opening three new career fire stations in Sugarmill Woods, Floral City and DeRosa without hiring more firefighters.
Most of the board also supported Dawsy’s plan to reduce three-person shifts to two firefighters in all but two stations. He would also move assistant chiefs and inspectors who work regular shifts to the 24-hour station shifts.

Chronicle reporter Shemir Wiles can be reached at 352-564-2924 or swiles@chronicleonline.com.