News briefs 9.05.13

+ Fire Rescue calls increase 12.6% in 2013
Longboat Key Fire Rescue Chief Paul Dezzi released a fire department call summary for the first six months of the year that shows emergency medical service (EMS) calls increased 12.6% for the first six months of 2013 when compared to a year ago. 

Statistics revealed that 79% of the fire department’s calls were for EMS calls.

The department transported 55% of patients seen to area hospitals.

Patient treatment is categorized by either advanced medical care or basic medical care. Of those patients transported to a hospital in the first six months of the year, 60% received advanced medical care. 

The department treated three major trauma patients, five major cardiac emergencies and six major stroke emergencies. 

The department had a decrease in fire-call activity during the time period, which Dezzi credits to his department’s continued fire prevention by all personnel through fire inspections. 

The department reported a fire loss of $741,500 during the time period that included two boat fires, five structure fires and three vehicle fires.

In total, the department had a 5% increase in total call volume for the first six months of 2013.

+ Longboat’s swan-keeper seeks donations
Longboat Key resident and swan-keeper David Novak is seeking community support for the Key’s swan population.

The Longboat Observer reported Aug. 7 that the Regal Swan Foundation has agreed to a multi-year effort to help him with the Key’s swans.

Services will include on-site veterinary care as needed and assistance with reducing predator influence and stabilizing the Key’s swan population. The process will take at least five years; the long-term goal is to have six pairs of swans dispersed among six territories, with swans being more visible to Longboat residents on a daily basis.  

Novak expects the assistance from the foundation to keep the Key’s swan population stable for about 15 more years.  

Novak’s ultimate goal for the next five to eight years is a same-sex pair for each territory — most likely two female pairs and four male pairs.

Novak is urging Key residents to make a personal tax-deductible donation to the Regal Swan Foundation.

Residents can support the effort by mailing or hand-delivering a tax-deductible contribution to: Regal Swan Foundation, SunTrust Bank, 510 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key, Fla., 34228. Those who contribute are urged to include their local mailing address and their email address.

Meetings & agendas
• Code Enforcement Board Regular Meeting — 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 9.
• Town Commission Regular Workshop — 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 16.
• Planning and Zoning Board Regular Meeting — 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17.
• Town Commission Special Budget Adoption Meeting  — 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 23
All meetings take place at Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road, unless otherwise noted.