Unit:

This boat is a replacement for our previous boat. It is designed as a fire boat, able to carry the weight and sustain the rigors of firefighting/rescue activities.

Why does Englewood have a fire/rescue boat?

Ans.: Several reasons.

#1 Added fire protection for buildings located near the water.  Many of the streets in waterfront areas are dead end with dead end water mains. Water mains that are dead end (not looped) have greatly reduced fire flows.  The pump on the fire boat can either pump water directly on the fire or relay water to a fire engine ashore.

#2 Manasota Key is accessed by two draw bridges.  If one is out, the only access is from the other bridge.   This would result in long delays in response time.  The fire boat can deliver fire fighters and fire equipment to the island if needed as well as evacuating an ill or injured person.

#3  In 1974 the United States Congress took the Coast Guard out of the firefighting business and turned the job over to local municipalities. Official Coast Guard policy states that "personnel shall not directly engage in fire fighting activities on other than Coast Guard units except.....to save a life."  Commercial and recreational boating are major economic factors in Englewood.  Loss of life or property, whether on land or water has a negative impact on the local economy as well as the individuals involved..

#4 The closest U.S. Coast Guard station is in Cortez (near Bradenton). Coast Guard Aux. and Sheriffs Dept. provide emergency response to boating related injuries, accidents, drowning etc. But the Englewood Fire Department is the only local agency able to provide these services 24/7.