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Blue Ribbon Committee Update

NEW EMS/FIRE RESCUE STATION
TO OPEN SOON

By Charles M. Tatelbaum

esidents of the Rio Vista community and the greater staff and the City Commission to more aggressively move
downtown Fort Lauderdale area can rejoice in the towards implementing the construction of the remaining
Rfact that the much-delayed EMS/Fire Station Number facilities that were to be covered by the bond issue. The
8 for our community will be opening and in operation by Blue Ribbon Committee’s activities point out the need for
the end of November. The station, located on SW 17th St. civic involvement where appropriate to assist our
just east of the railroad tracks, will be able to provide municipal governments in meeting the needs of the
emergency medical and fire services to our community in community. Fire Station Number 8, as well as two other
a more expedient manner than has ever existed. long-overdue fire stations, were languishing under the prior
Unfortunately, until the opening of this new station, the City administration, with there being no impetus to take
the steps required to even begin the construction or land
response time for EMS/fire issues to our community has
acquisition. The Blue Ribbon Committee, under the then-
been one of the longest in Fort Lauderdale.
leadership of Chair Thornie Jarret, became an activist
The two-bay facility will contain the most modern and committee and began pushing the City Manager and
sophisticated communications equipment, and will also others to do what was required in order to take the steps
provide work, recreational and living facilities for our first to begin the process for the construction of the three fire
responders that are commensurate with their needs. stations. Following Commissioner Sorenson's election, he
Although located at the perimeter of the downtown Fort then assisted in the process of giving proper guidance to
Lauderdale area, the location will provide prompt access for the City staff to do what needed to be done.
the first responders without the need to deal
with the delays occasioned by railroad
stoppages and open drawbridges.
Many years ago, in connection with the
multimillion-dollar bond facility created by
the City of Fort Lauderdale for the
construction of EMS and fire facilities, the
Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue Facilities Bond
Issue Blue Ribbon Committee was formed.
The Committee, comprised of volunteer
citizens of Fort Lauderdale appointed by
respective City Commissioners, was charged
with the responsibility of monitoring the bond
disbursements and the acquisition of land
and construction of the facilities to be
financed by the bond issue.

Beginning in 2016, the Blue Ribbon
Committee became motivated to do more
than simply monitor the use of the bond
proceeds and began to push the City's

14 rio vista civic association • www.riovistaonline.com