Ferry Pass Losing Aerial Ladder Truck to Staffing Shortage

Escambia County, FL (Newsradio 92.3) -- Ferry Pass is losing its 100-foot aerial ladder truck due to staffing shortages. Fire Station 7 doesn't have enough crew to operate it, so the truck will be moved to another location. The problem is this area has dozens of multi-story buildings—including HCA Florida West Hospital and UWF apartments—that would need that ladder in an emergency. Commissioner Ashlee Hofberger says inadequate funding is to blame. She says the fire department should have four-person crews to meet national standards. Firefighters say mutual aid agreements with neighboring agencies will provide backup ladder response, but some residents are concerned about emergency response times.