By Chad Gillis
Naples Daily News
NAPLES, Fla. — Better service without higher taxes.
That’s the way Bonita Springs fire commissioner Ed FitzGerald presented a potential change in local ambulance services.
Lee County handles ambulance services inside the city, but fire officials have been fighting to provide ambulance services themselves. It would speed up service responses for medical emergencies, FitzGerald said.
“It’s not efficient nor is it safe,” FitzGerald told city council members about the current operation. “It’s not acceptable to the residents of Bonita Springs.”
Council members agreed, voting unanimously to support the fire district’s pursuit. Lee County must approve the change.
If successful, the Bonita Springs fire district would receive about $1.2 million in state and federal emergency services funding that currently goes to the county.
Bonita Springs resident Kathy McGrath said she’s behind the city and fire officials.
“I’m sure the county doesn’t want to give it up because they’ll lose the revenue, but the residents will benefit,” McGrath said.
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