annual report-2008.pdf - The City of Titusville, Florida

Over 250 years ago, Benjamin Franklin once said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Over the lastquarter century, our department has worked diligently to enhance the services provided to our citizens within the lifesafety and injury prevention fields. A diligent fire-prevention program and rapid response when fires do occur ensureseconomic sustainability. By preventing a fire from occurring through the elements of education, engineering andenforcement (fire triangle) and combat personnel trained, equipped and positioned to arrive timely and aggressivelyextinguish fires that do occur, businesses are kept from being destroyed. Effective fire prevention keeps businesses inbusiness, consumers able to continue to buy their goods or services and businesses able to sustain their revenues andprofits, which allows them to continue payments of taxes and permits to local, state and federal entities. Effective fireprevention keeps businesses in businessEducation of our citizenry in fire and injury prevention actions and responses and the diligent use and practice ofengineered protective measures such bicycle helmets, child seats, seat belts, fire sprinkler and smoke and carbonmonoxide detector installations, the use of Vials of Life, blood pressure monitoring and training in CPR and first aid allhelp to avoid or drastically mitigate the effects of fires, injuries and death.We have been able to accomplish much with little in the last quarter of a century. Our robust public education andinjury prevention programs have been sustained for the past decade (and, in some areas, enhanced) solely throughgrants, community donations and partnerships. But our emergency call load has increased over 240%, while ourcurrent staffing has declined through budget reductions to the levels of 25 years ago. It appears inevitable that ourability to maintain service delivery levels will be affected by the current and widespread economic downturn. Whileresources have been trimmed and will continue to be scrutinized, we recognize the challenging economic times facingour citizens. We are in this together and are as prepared as ever to respond when our citizens need us the most.EMERGENCY RESPONSE CALL LOAD1984198519861987198819891990199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008*700065006000550050004500400019841985198619871988PERSONNEL LEVELS19891990199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008*35003000250020008070605040302028