The purpose was to build a fire station and emergency services facility in cooperation with the Collier County Sheriff’s Office and Collier Emergency Medical Services. The property, in a residential area, would need to be rezoned by Collier County for a fire station to be built there.    

However, some residents who live on or near Orange Blossom Drive have said they don't want to see a fire station built on the property. They think it would increase traffic and noise in the area, said John Garbo, president of the Orange Blossom-Pine Ridge Community Alliance, which represents all of the homeowners associations on or adjacent to Orange Blossom Drive.  

The city council has given the go-ahead to spend 800 thousand dollars to buy two ambulances.  The city is quick to point out the decision has nothing to do with the job performance of their current ambulance service Medstar.  "It's absolutely not a reflection against Medstar. Medstar is still in the picture. Medstar is still an ambulance service that depending on the number of calls at any given time once we get in that business they will be responding as well," says city administrator Ken Grimes.

The city replaced half of the fire department’s front-line engine fleet. Taxpayers spent about $1.8 million to put new trucks at the Engine 1, Engine 2 and Engine 5 firehouses. The new trucks feature 500-gallon water tanks and 1,500-gallon-a-minute pumps. Each has an auxiliary power unit, essentially a small generator that maintains lights and heat while letting the truck engine shut off during extended idling. Ortiz predicted that will provide 20 percent savings on fuel at emergency scenes.

The department held a special decommissioning ceremony of Fire Engine 120 and Tanker 132 on Nov. 11. These units were dedicated in memory of firefighters Ernie Barber and Chuck Stoddard, who was also the township constable for 20 years. The ceremony included special plaques and keys from these units being presented to the families of these faithful servants of the community. With these two new units, the department will be able to bring 4,000-gallons of water to a fire in extremely rural communities. Engine 121 has a 1,500-gallon per minute pump, with the most up to date electronic pump controls that allows the operator to keep a constant water flow on the scene of the fire while at the same time giving real time monitoring of the pump’s intake, flow and water usage. Furthermore, Engine 121 is outfitted with foam capabilities, this will aid in quicker fire suppression while using less water which adds to firefighter safety. Tanker 131 has a 3,000-gallon water tank and a 500-gallon per minute pump. This unit can also be used during mutual aid while assisting neighboring departments for water supply.

The truck, which cost the city of Jackson $1.17 million, replaces Ladder 1, which has been in service since 1995. Ladder 1 will go to reserve status and only be used on big fires and when other trucks are out for service, Deputy Director of Fire Services David Wooden said. The new truck reaches 20 feet longer than the previous one.

 

The truck also offers better flexibility in moving around trees and power lines, Wooden said. With 1,000 pounds of capacity at the tip of the ladder, firefighters could rescue more people simultaneously, he said.