To the Editor:
Of Florida's 67 counties, 5 remain dry. Lafayette, Liberty, Madison, Suwannee and Washington.
All are rural counties situated in North Florida with little or no economy. To those who are against a wet county and argue about their quality of life being eroded, compare these 5 counties with other (like) counties in Florida or Georgia. For all those for a wet county, stop ranting about it, take some action, let's make it happen.
James Hendon
To the Editor:
In response to Live Oak Fire Department's Lieutenant Jerry Sullivan's comments in the Rant and Rave (June 19), I would like to answer his question concerning my responsibility as the Suwannee County Fire Marshal.
I am not one to self promote or seek media attention. I was raised with 5 generations of Suwannee County work ethics and values that dispose me to dedication and honor to the professional service of protecting and preserving the lives and property of my home county.
Mr. Sullivan you asked the question "When did Suwannee County get a fire marshal?". Sense the first day of Professional County Fire Service, Suwannee County has had a Fire Marshal. The duties and responsibilities of a County or Municipal Fire Marshal are clearly defined by Florida State Statute 633. There is a vast difference between the State Fire Marshal and a Local Fire Marshal. First the State Fire Marshal is the State Insurance Commissioner, namely at this time Mrs. Alex Sink. Florida State Statute 633.025 (2) which is law reads "Pursuant to subjection (1), each municipality, county and special fire district with fire safety responsibilities shall enforce the Florida Fire Prevention Code and the Life Safety Code as the minimum fire safety code required by this section (emphases supplied). Florida State Statue 633 also clearly states that the State Fire Marshal cannot enforce or apply local fire safety codes that are the statutory responsibility of the Authority Having Jurisdiction for that local area of service responsibility. Please go on-line at myflorida.com and review the Florida State Statutes especially 633, if not, I will gladly loan you my copy.
It was a great honor to have the responsibility of heading the Fire Prevention Division for Suwannee County bestowed upon me by my Fire Chief. For the past 24 years, I have worked hard to both prove myself and improve my professional abilities for my service and my county. I have obtained National Board Certification at the highest levels in both fields of Inspection and Investigation. I am a voting member of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), National Fire Marshals Association, Florida Arson Prevention Council, and the Florida Fire Inspectors and Lifesafety Educators. In my spare time, I have offered consulting opinions on both investigations and inspections all over the United States. My opinions have cleared any Dauber Challenge that has been submitted in courts of law. I almost forgot the two degrees I have in the field of Fire and Emergency Service.
As for the issues of the power to arrest, yes I do not have that authority. I do have the statutory authority to investigate and if needed charge someone with a crime of arson or fraud. The authority to arrest someone for crime is specifically granted to our law enforcement brothers and sisters. The State Fire Marshal cannot arrest anyone either, the DETECTIVES who work under the State Fire Marshal have that authority. Once again read the statute that governs the Fire Service for Florida.
It's a shame that I had to take time away from my day off while working to finish my master’s degree, to answer Live Oak Fire Department Lieutenant Jerry Sullivan's concerns.
Paul M. Haas
