Council backs county support for new north fire station and added ALS staffing

Belleair Beach city council unanimously approved a resolution asking Pinellas County and Central Square Rescue to allocate part of the Tiki Gardens property for construction of a new north-area fire and EMS station and to add advanced-life-support staffing.

The request, read by City Attorney Tom Trask, follows a presentation by Suncoast Fire & Rescue staff showing that response coverage in the northern service area has been strained. The fire presenter and Chief Grinch said the district recorded 86 calls in Belleair Beach during the reporting period; the local station handled nine of those while neighboring agencies covered many others. The district reported an average response time of about 6 minutes, 12 seconds and outlined how Station 75 (scheduled to enter service Oct. 1) and an additional ALS paramedic would improve coverage.

The resolution asks county partners to designate part of the Tiki Gardens property for the station and to fund one ALS position for Station 75 and a conversion of Engine 27 to Rescue 27. Council members voiced broad support for strengthening the fire district's coverage; one council member called the resolution a "no-brainer." With no public opposition during the comment period, the council approved the resolution by roll call.

The action is a formal request to the county and does not itself authorize construction or hiring. Council members and staff said they will continue coordination with county officials and the Emergency Medical Service Advisory Board, where the mayor represents the city, to pursue funding, permits and staffing allocations. The next procedural steps are county-level discussions and any required intergovernmental agreements; the council asked staff to keep them informed.