Spring Hill Fire District contract is approved despite drama

SPRING HILL — Just as commissioners were about to sign off on a new contract for firefighters Wednesday night, Spring Hill Fire District's board was criticized by citizens who said the pact should be voided because the board did not let the public know in advance of contract talks.

The charge brought the instant ire of commission chairman Charles Raborn, who said to resident David Green, "It was announced here, and I know you were here."

Green, a familiar critic of the commission, disagreed, saying he had received word from interim Chief Michael Rampino on Wednesday that the district had failed to inform the media of the negotiations.

"I made a statement to the press that was inaccurate and take full responsibility for such," wrote Rampino in an e-mail to Green. Rampino went on to assure that any future meetings would be advertised.

Last November, under the threat of a tighter budget, the district hammered out a three-year agreement with Local 2794 that included a provision to revisit the benefits portion of the agreement each year. Talks between the district and members began in May.

Despite citizen protests over certain issues, commissioners went on to vote 4-1 in favor of the revised contract that will cover about 110 employees. It includes a 3 percent pay raise and a 5.5 percent increase in health insurance benefits. The agreement also extends the contract through September 2011.

"I say it's money well spent," commissioner Leo Jacobs said. "These people put their lives on the line every day. You really can't put a price on that."

Comments on this article

by Correction	Oct 5, 2008 9:39 AM
The SHFR employees, despite being called terms like parasites, druggies, crooks, etc have shown nothing but professionalism during the last few years.

by Likes Rob Giammarco	Oct 3, 2008 8:05 PM
Giammarco has my vote! SHFR doesn't. Giammarco is very good keeping taxpayers in mind, but the firefighters don't like him. As you see, they are not professional and show no respect. Sickening. Vote NO to the firefighters and consolidate!

by To Dixie	Oct 3, 2008 8:03 PM
Dixie, whose fault is it that you husband has Hep C? His own! Obviously didn't use the right safety measures. Are you sure it was a broken windshield, or his girlfriend/co-worker he got it from?

by What?	Oct 3, 2008 7:25 PM
Oh great we have firefighters with Hep C. That's the risk of the job, so quit whining about that. If they don't like the risks, let them get another job that doesn't have them. Suprised he didn't claim workmans comp. or has he? Karma is right.

by Oh my word	Oct 3, 2008 7:23 PM
Jason, what kind of investigation is done if someone fails a drug test? Come on, get real! The only thing they should hear is YOU'RE FIRED! Liars, liars, pants on fire! Pun intended.

by John	Oct 3, 2008 7:21 PM
Commissioner Giamarco has been nothing but negative from the start. He was put there by the county to disrupt and has done that risking my family and yours it must stop. Vote NO to Giammarco. Stop the politics and be what you are suppose to be.

by Sick of SHFR babies	Oct 3, 2008 6:52 PM
Jason, it makes a big difference. Why can't they use their own time, and why offer this AFTER they have failed a drug test? This protects nobody but SHFRs employees, not taxpayers. Let the employees sue if they feel they can. We're not buying it.

by Jason	Oct 3, 2008 1:32 PM
Hernandospeaks....what's the difference if it's admin leave or vacation leave....they're both paid! The salient point is that the district is safer if that said leave is paid like I mentioned earlier.

by Dixie	Oct 3, 2008 1:32 PM
I Support my FD. They were there when my father died but they worked him until the hosp even when he didn't have a chance/cancer. Try telling ur wife her BFF of 13 years just died in a mva and try telling her 12y daughter her mom not comming home!

by tim	Oct 3, 2008 1:32 PM
Little tiny towns, big fat labor union contracts that surpass anything available to workers in the private sector. Yes, commissioner Jacobs, you can "put a price on that" - it's called higher taxes.

by David	Oct 3, 2008 1:32 PM
Why not check the Countys non driver policy and see how many have DUI's on that list, or do the research on past discipline see if anybody took anything out of the drug box and if so how was it handled. You might be surprised, And Nugents Drug policy

by Harley2008	Oct 3, 2008 1:31 PM
Drama? SHFR? Say it isn't so! I'd like to know the whole story on this. One paper says one thing while the other says another thing.

by You are kidding me	Oct 3, 2008 1:31 PM
I have saved a few lives. I did not chose to be a firefighter or a paramedic. I don't want to walk in their shoes or I'd have their jobs as a career. They whine too much and can quit and move on to someplace else if they don't like it here.

by hernandospeaks	Oct 2, 2008 8:33 PM
is this 4 week leave that was approved from accruded leave or administrative leave...

by Jason	Oct 2, 2008 7:13 PM
Hey....I'm a Spring Hill resident and those guys did a great job at my moms house fire. I say if Hernando County FF's get 5% raises why can't Spring Hill get 3%? The math is simple......am I missing something here?

by To What?	Oct 2, 2008 7:11 PM
One word - Karma.

by To you are kidding me	Oct 2, 2008 5:47 PM
Walk one day in the shoes of a paramedic on a rescue unit in SH and trying saying their job isn't dangerous. When was the last time you dealt with a combative patient all doped up or a drunk who takes a swing? Ignorance is bliss.

by To you are kidding me	Oct 2, 2008 5:46 PM
When was the last time you had to pick up a dead baby from a pool drowning incident, or an elderly person who'd been abused or neglected, or a 17 year old who had a failed suicide attempt. Yeah...its a country club.

by winnie	Oct 2, 2008 5:27 PM
You don't risk your life as a paramedic? I'll remember that as my medic spouse continues treatment for hep c courtesy of bloody windshield glass. Bad mouthing those who come to help you when you call 911. How ungrateful.

by Rita	Oct 2, 2008 4:00 PM
Tracey said "these people deserve more respect and a bigger slice of pie". It is sickening. I'm glad my son works for another department in another county.

by To oofaa	Oct 2, 2008 4:00 PM
Compare apples to apples. The $26,000 is while they are in the academy, they are being paid. SH firefighters only get hired after the academy. And $32,000 is just FF...not FF/Paramedic. Paramedics require an addition 2 years training.

by You are kidding me	Oct 2, 2008 4:00 PM
How many fires do we have in Spring Hill daily, for Jacobs to make that kind of comment? Rescue calls are really dangerous, aren't they? Come on now, be real and quit ripping the taxpayers off so that you can take care of those who CHOSE this job!

by To RWJ	Oct 2, 2008 3:48 PM
OK...I'm going to try to be respectful here. But it is getting pretty hard. MY HUSBAND works for SHFR and had a ceiling collapse on him 1 year ago in a house fire...does that constitute putting his life on the line for you???

by Supporter	Oct 2, 2008 3:45 PM
The SH Firefighter are being criticized for having a drug testing policy? It appears to me that the firefighters themselves asked for a drug testing policy if it is in their contract. I will support the SHFR District and vote "YES"

by Jason	Oct 2, 2008 3:27 PM
The reason a firefighter gets 4 weeks off after a failed drug test is for an investigation.If the investigation shows the FF is guilty they get fired.If they're not guilty and you have them off from work w/o pay they can sue the department big time!

by RWJ	Oct 2, 2008 2:36 PM
"Put their life on the line"? Excuse me this is Hernando County, Not New York or Chicago, SHRF is Primarily a Medical Service, These guys may qualify as Fire Fighters but they are mostly Medical So Jacobs Tell us how they put their lives on the line.

by Maryann	Oct 2, 2008 9:22 AM
Just another nail in the coffin of the board of SHFR! They are not looking out for the citizens of Spring Hill. Our deputies put their lives on the line also but don't milk their citizens!

by Tired of SHFR	Oct 2, 2008 9:22 AM
Four weeks off paid if a firefighter fails a drug test. Why not be like most companies and fire them if they use drugs and fail the drug test? Sounds like SHFR condones drug abuse. Sickening!

by Tracey	Oct 2, 2008 9:22 AM
For God's Sake, take a look at what we in America pay sports athletes, celebrities, CEO's, Lobbyist, etc. I don't see any of them putting their life on the line daily - GIVE ME A BREAK - these people deserve more respect and a bigger slice of pie.

by Frank	Oct 2, 2008 9:22 AM
Just another reason that SHFD needs to go. The voters will vote NO because of reasons like this.

by Mary	Oct 2, 2008 9:22 AM
Green must be related to Giamarrco-always finding fault!These employees deserve every penny and more-are very professional, knowledgeable, and considerate to all using their service.They are the best!Would Green risk his life daily-my guess is NO.

by Guy	Oct 2, 2008 9:22 AM
Can someone sight the State Statute or PERC regulation that says a negotiations session between a labor union and an employer is to be treated like a public meeting with advertisement requirements and Sunshine Law stipulations?I've not heard of that.

by CA	Oct 2, 2008 9:22 AM
The only protests were from Giamarcco's family and close friends. He needs to go!

by oofaa	Oct 2, 2008 9:22 AM
Mr. Jacobs; You really cant put a price on that but you could put a comparison to it. NYC FIREFIGHTERS starting salary $26000 per year $32000 after 13 weeks. Wait im wrong you really cant compare the two depts.

by SH supporter	Oct 2, 2008 9:21 AM
I'm sure it was just an oversight that you forgot to mention the SH citizens who showed up in support of SH getting a new contract?