Sarasota, Fla. Airport Fire Crew Not State Certified

If a plane caught fire at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport today, Fire Chief Ed Cluchey could not go anywhere near the "hot zone."

Cluchey and seven others hired by the airport's contractor, Rural/Metro Inc., lack Florida firefighter certification.

That means they can't do any "hazardous operations" or enter what firefighters call the "exclusionary zone," or hot zone, said David Casey, chief of fire standards and training for the state fire marshal.

"Basically, all that the individuals can do is support work, no actual fire suppression," Casey said in an Oct. 25 letter to Cluchey.

Union firefighters who lost their jobs to privatization at the airport say the state's ruling proves their point about compromised safety, but airport CEO Fredrick "Rick" Piccolo said it has no practical implications.

Cluchey doesn't have to be on hand in the event of a fire or other "hazardous operation," a broad term that can include buildings about to collapse or a trench rescue, Casey said. An incident commander is appointed to call the shots on each scene.

Piccolo said Cluchey's contract employer, Rural/Metro Inc., will cover the gap by bringing in Florida-certified firefighters.

He doesn't know how many firefighters will be brought in, or where they'll come from. He said Rural/Metro promised to provide the required four-person staff for each 24-hour shift.

"In a short period of time we'll have this taken care of," Piccolo said.

Piccolo said all of the 15 people Rural/Metro hired so far have the training the state requires, which is at least 360 hours in structural firefighting. They have additional, specialty training in aircraft rescue and firefighting.

The uncertified firefighters will have to submit proof of that training. If the state deems their training adequate, they have to pass Florida's written and practical tests.

If their training isn't adequate, Casey's bureau might require more.

The Sarasota-Manatee Airport Authority voted in August to eliminate the positions of 15 firefighters and award Rural/Metro a three-year contract.

Suncoast Professional Firefighters and Paramedics, the union representing the airport's former firefighters, has been on the attack since then.

Union President Michael Stephenson obtained a copy of the letter to Cluchey, in which Casey says he informed Piccolo via e-mail on Oct. 6 that the lack of certification would lead to "significant limitations."

Stephenson questioned Piccolo's candor about the situation.

"If there's this increased liability, and there is, how come Fred hasn't reported that to his board?" Stephenson said.

Piccolo said state law doesn't mention aircraft rescue and firefighting units, so the airport didn't specify Florida certification when it requested proposals.

"We're not disputing the fire marshal's interpretation," he said.

Rural/Metro agreed to cover the gap as soon as Cluchey received the letter, he said.

"They're taking a more positive attitude of 'Great, we'll get this taken care of,'" Piccolo said.

Cluchey and other Rural/Metro hires were trained as firefighters in the military, he said.

"We're talking about guys that had more actual firefighting of aircraft than our own guys did," Piccolo said.

The unit would respond to any emergency on airport grounds, whether it's a heart attack in the airport terminal or a fire in an airplane hangar.

Casey said that's why it is important for all kinds of firefighters to meet Florida standards.

"In today's society you need to be able to be an all-threat responder."

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