Pasco County sheriff, fire rescue union officials discuss consolidation

LAND O'LAKES — The proposal was kept secret until Monday night's meeting of the Pasco firefighters union: What if Sheriff Bob White took over county fire and rescue services?

White and union president Ralph Grant confirmed Monday night that they met late last week to discuss the possibility of having White's office assume control of the operations from the county administration.

White said that county commissioners have previously talked about his office and fire and rescue consolidating smaller parts of their operations, such as dispatch services.

"This is consolidation on steroids," White said of the idea.

Grant said that union officials, learning of a similar set-up in Broward County, pitched the idea to White. Pasco administrators, looking to close big deficits, have proposed a budget that would eliminate 48 of the county's 277 firefighting positions and 20 of its 163 ambulance personnel.

"He seems interested," Grant said of White. "His stand is he could save jobs. When you say that, people's ears perk up."

"They said, 'If we ask to come under you, can you save our jobs?' " White said. "And I said, 'I'll do everything I can.' "

How exactly White would propose saving the jobs is unclear. He said he hadn't taken a hard look at the fire and rescue budget but suspects he could identify $4 million in savings to hold onto the positions.

"Sometimes it takes a fresh set of eyes," White said.

Also unclear are the prospects for such a transfer of power: County commissioners would have to approve the change. White said he hadn't talked to any county officials about the move. But he said he thought it was realistic and that it might boost morale among firefighters.

"The main thing is they don't feel like they've been treated right," he said. "They said, 'We don't have anybody talking about firefighters like you talk about your deputies.' That was a very moving moment."