More boats recreating off Islamorada mean the possibility for increasing emergencies on the water. Following years of work to secure a vessel by Fire Rescue, Islamorada council members approved a fire marine emergency response program during a May 7 meeting.
While the U.S. Coast Guard and Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission respond to crashes, rescues and other incidents on the water, firefighting capabilities are lacking off the shores of Islamorada. As emergencies and incidents on the water increased through the years, Chief Terry Abel says, the presence of a fire and EMS boat on the water could have changed some of the outcomes.
Abel told council members about a call a month-and-a-half ago of a vessel in need of help not far from the Lorelei restaurant. An emergency vessel didn’t show up to assist the boat for an hour and 10 minutes.
With help from the Islamorada Firefighters Benevolent Association, a 36-foot Twin Vee fire boat was recently purchased from the North Collier Fire District for $45,000. Abel said 14 fire rescuers are trained for the village’s marine emergency response team. Rescuers would respond to emergencies in the nearshore waters and waterways of Islamorada and incidents needing additional resources.
“We’re not proposing additional staffing. We’re going to utilize staff on duty now, so we’re not creating new positions,” Abel said.
A total of $300,000 was allocated in the Florida Legislature’s 2024-25 budget for the purchase of a new fireboat for Islamorada Fire Rescue. The funds were successfully secured thanks to the efforts of state Rep. Lauren Melo, who represents Collier and Hendry counties. Pending the governor’s signature of the budget, the marine rescue program could see a new boat responding to calls on the water.
In the Florida Keys, the only fire boats are located in Key West and Ocean Reef Club in North Key Largo. Marathon received a vessel from the sheriff’s office, but it’s not equipped to provide rescue response or firefighting capabilities. Fire chiefs throughout the county have been working to implement a fire boat program for some time, following a tragic 2017 incident not far from Cudjoe Key. A family was boating when their daughter, Harlie, was accidentally hit by a boat propeller. Since medical assistance couldn’t render swift aid, Harlie did not survive.
Beginning a village marine response program will cost around $50,000, for training, fuel and maintenance.
In other matters, the village council approved an agreement with the Monroe County School Board for recreational improvement and use of village facilities. Two agreements are associated with Monroe County schools’ use of the baseball field at Founders, an interlocal agreement and a baseball field license. The interlocal agreement, which has been in effect for several years, allows the school to use the baseball field and facilities. The interlocal agreement expired and needs both sides to agree to a renewal.
A baseball field license agreement, which would allow field renovations, hasn’t been approved and will not advance until the village, school district and community agree to the improvement plan. The school district is seeking to provide $5 million in upgrades to the baseball field, which is home to the Coral Shores High School baseball program.
Located at the front of the park, the field was constructed under a 2001 agreement between the school district and village. Per the pact, the district pays for field improvements, which in the past have included resurfacing projects and new fencing. Last November, the school board voted 4-1 to award design and construction of ballfield upgrades at the park to Chris-Tel Construction.
