Longboat Key Fire Rescue welcomes new support team member

Lisa Boggs says she loves interacting with people — a perfect quality to have as the Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department’s new Fire Rescue Liaison. 

She started on Jan. 16, and so far her day-to-day has been filled with learning, she said. From picking up on fire lingo to understanding the ins and outs of a government job, it’s all new for her. 

But Boggs said she likes a challenge, and is looking forward to living the job to its full potential, which will be to help support the crew. 

“Everybody’s been very encouraging and helpful,” Boggs said. “It’s been a good experience.” 

Her role is focused on administrative work and front desk management at the department. 

Boggs is no stranger to Sarasota and Manatee counties. Though she grew up in Ohio, she said she spent many vacations on Anna Maria Island. 

In 2000, she decided to move to the Sarasota area. Her favorite part: the sun and the weather. 

Most of her professional career was in construction, working in every aspect from permitting to contracts. 

In that field, she said the most rewarding part was getting to meet people from all over and the interactions she shared with others. She also enjoyed being able to work with those people to see their building visions come to fruition. 

Boggs said she was laid off during the COVID-19 pandemic, which led her to take a job at Publix for about three years. 

But, she realized it was time to get out of the routine of closing shifts followed by opening shifts. She wanted a different schedule, and something where she could still apply her customer service background. 

“I really wanted to get back to some normal, not working on weekends,” Boggs said. 

Away from the job, Boggs is an avid reader. She enjoys anything from self-help to historical fiction, she said. 

Boggs is also active in volunteering with her church, Bayside Community Church. 

She enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, and likes to sew. She’s done prom and wedding dresses before, but doesn’t think she’d be able to do big projects like that again. 

And she still enjoys a day up in Anna Maria Island. 

“When I want to feel like I’m on vacation, on a day off I go up there and stay all day,” she said.