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I would like to share and enjoy Collier County's evaluation of how
many fire rescue boats are assigned; especially since the emphasis of
the city council is now focused on rescue and EMS NOT primarily fire suppression.

I have included a link to Collier county and its current inventory of ALS/Rescue boat:

".. and the counties only Advanced Life Support Fire/Rescue Boat" is located at Isles of Capri.

http://www.colliergov.net/index.aspx?...

Is this true? Or just firefighting/rescue bravado?

Given the "published" response times from the city's presentation, I
would like to personally ask boaters, both power and sail, who is the
typical "first" responder in a crisis. In all emergency situations time is of the essence.

Which leads me to my next point, the eventual need for more assets to
reduce response time, followed by more personnel. If it took 6 years
for the city to convince council to upgrade a fire/rescue boat, I suspect
in 3-4 years you will be seeing the initiation of more assets to
support fire boat safety concerns.

I do take a STRONG exception to the city dismissing the role of the USCG in rescue operations (in its claim it is relegated to homeland security). To minimmize the USCG role in rescue operations is quite astonishing; especially from professional safety officers. All rescue operations require, yes require assistance from ALL governmental agencies that ply the waters.

Honestly, every boater on the water is in the marine rescue business by law, supported through training provided by a host of marine safety organizations including private community based.

For the record, A+ on the presentation by the city. But I thought the folks were concerned on spending which included where they spent their money.

I hope the next time the council chair asks the council a fundamental question if Marco Island is in the marine/rescue business, he reviews the extent of Marco Island in rescue operations given Collier County's claim:

".. the counties only Advanced Life Support Fire/Rescue Boat" is located at Isles of Capri.

My conclusion: Collier County also established that it is in the marine rescue business, but it chose Isles of Capri waters, NOT Marco Island.

Why is that? I thought Marco Island was a net contributor of tax dollars to Collier County. So when the Council confirmed the city's commitment to marine rescue operations, did it begin with a conversation with Collier County?

Or is this just, Marco Island willing to add more assets above and beyond what is provided by a host of government and private agencies?

If I recall, this discussion in months past was centered about a cost/benefit perspective! In that regard I think Collier County got it right and Marco Island again, simply dismissed it. The sails were set when the council made the assertion it was in the marine rescue business because the wind was coming from Mr. Murphy et al.