A Fort Lauderdale marine advisory board on [date not specified] heard repeated pleas for funding to bolster on-water public safety.

Chiefs from fire-rescue described an adaptive staffing model that leaves the city without a regularly staffed evening marine unit and said the department needs a minimum five-person crew on a fireboat 24 hours per day to meet demand. Chief Knowles said the department currently relies on grant-funded motor replacements and adaptive staffing that takes fire trucks out of service when marine calls arrive. "We're at a point now where we need five people staffed full time 24 hours a day," the chief said.

Board members and a state representative who addressed the panel said securing such resources will require a targeted appropriations effort in Tallahassee. The representative said he planned to travel to the legislative session next week and urged the board to prepare a concise case to present to appropriations leaders: "We have to come up with the best story of why we need it," he said.

Committee discussion highlighted operational shortfalls beyond staffing. Fire-rescue noted aging equipment and engines that have passed their useful lives, and a recommendation from board members called for a staggered capital replacement program to buy one or two engines every few years so that equipment retains resale value and the department avoids large simultaneous replacements.

Members also raised enforcement and response gaps on the waterways, noting the city's code-enforcement boat has been in limited service for several meetings and that GPS thefts and salvage costs are an ongoing concern. One board member pointed to a recent single-vessel removal that cost roughly $11,500 and described recovery reimbursement through a county program.

The board did not take a formal vote to fund a specific asset but agreed to pursue advocacy through commissioners and legislative contacts and to share prioritized requests with city procurement and government affairs staff. Next steps include drafting appropriation requests for a fireboat and sustained operational funding and exploring ways to shift some recurring marine costs from grants to general funds.