News Briefs

+ Commission agrees to postpone impasse hearing
The Longboat Key Town Commission has agreed to postpone an impasse hearing with the town’s firefighter union scheduled for Friday, Jan. 21.

The hearing was rescheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 2, at Town Hall.

The decision was made after firefighter/paramedic and union Vice President Brandon Desch told town officials he was unable to attend the hearing because he would be on vacation. The commission agreed to postpone the hearing, even though it wasn’t required to do so.

Now that impasse has been declared and a special magistrate made its recommendations, the commission must make decisions regarding the points of contention between Town Manager Bruce St. Denis and the union.

+ Firefighters conduct training exercise at Publix
Longboat Key Fire Rescue conducted a training exercise Jan. 20 behind the Longboat Key Publix, according to Fire Rescue Chief Paul Dezzi.

Deputy Chief Sandi Drake had her crew members simulate a response for a person who had fallen off a roof. 

Firefighters had to treat, stabilize and transport a multi-system trauma patient, while using new medical protocol to treat the patient, as well as request a trauma helicopter to transport the patient to Bayfront Medical Center, in St. Petersburg.

Personnel drove to the landing zone where they simulated landing the helicopter and communicating patient information to the flight crew. 

After the exercise, personnel conducted a Post Incident Analysis (PIA), during which each member who participated provided feedback on what they did and gave suggestions for improving the operation.

“This exercise provided newly hired and veteran personnel the opportunity to work as a team under safe conditions while at the same time having the ability to make suggestions on both patient care and emergency operations,” Drake said.

+ North end beach project delayed until February
Town Manager Bruce St. Denis told the Town Commission at its Jan. 20 regular workshop that the north-end beach project will not begin until Feb. 8 at the earliest.
The dredge, which was supposed to arrive Jan. 17, has not been certified to sail to Florida yet because steel structures in its bow need to be replaced.
North-Key residents saw tractors and dump trucks on the beach last week that were removing derelict seawall.

Meetings & agendas
Town Commission Special Pension Meeting — 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 7.
Town Commission Regular Meeting — 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 7.
Zoning Board of Adjustment Regular Meeting — 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 10.
All meetings take place at Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road.