Page 19 - Southern Exposure - August '24
P. 19
Southern Exposure, Page 19
loCal govErnmEnt from page 18
Professional Firefighters/Paramedics Of Palm Beach County
August 2024
As we move closer into the heart Use extreme caution if you inadvertently drive into a flooded anything else that may have been washed out of the neighbors’
of hurricane season and the months of area. High levels of standing water can make it difficult to tell yards. This can be a significant health hazard if the water is
strong afternoon thunderstorms, we all the difference between where the standing water and pavement ingested, splashed in the eyes, or enters the ears, nose or an open
need to be aware of the dangers local ends, and the canal or retention pond begins. A car can sink very cut or sore.
flooding can create. quickly and, if not witnessed, may not be seen until the water We have been experiencing significant heat and humidity
Even relatively minor flooding or recedes. so far this summer. It is vitally important to keep well hydrated
pooling of water on our roadways can Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control reports that over when doing any outdoor activities. Whether working or even just
be deceiving in the depth of standing water or the force of moving half of all flood-related deaths occur when a vehicle is driven into enjoying some leisure time, dehydration can occur rapidly.
water. If you are walking or driving in an area that you are not hazardous flood water. It only takes 18 inches of water to carry If you, or anyone you are with, start experiencing severe
familiar with, you may not be aware of the normal landscape and away most vehicles, including SUVs. headache, chest pain, difficulty breathing or simply do not
therefore not know if there is typically water in that location. Pooling water in neighborhood swales can look very inviting feel well, get into shade or air conditioning, and drink plenty
The best practice is to not walk into water if you are even to children, and the first thought is to want to play in it. Please of rehydrating fluids. Do not hesitate to call for Fire Rescue if
slightly unsure about how deep it is. A mere six inches of fast- keep in mind, however, that the standing water is typically full symptoms persist.
moving water can knock over and carry away an adult. of contaminants from lawn fertilizer, weed killer, pet feces and Please remember these tips to help keep you and your family
safe and healthy.
Steen Eriksson,
Community Relations,
Professional Firefighters/Paramedics of Palm Beach County,
IAFF Local 2928
HOAN@iaff2928.com
Feeling like you paid too
much in taxes this year? Town Of Jupiter
Learn about investment strategies News
that could potentially lower next year’s
tax bill. Contact your financial advisor By Jim Kuretski, Mayor, Town of Jupiter
today to learn how.
The Town Council works
with our town manager, staff
Sally S Stahl, CFP®, AAMS™ and others to address issues
Financial Advisor affecting our residents and
businesses. The following
1851 W Indiantown Rd Ste 106 provides key actions taken and
Jupiter, FL 33458 achievements in fire rescue
561-748-7600 services cost containment and
creation of the Jupiter Fire
Rescue Department (JFRD):
Fire rescue services are
currently being provided by
Palm Beach County (PBC) via contract agreement, using three
fire stations within Town of Jupiter boundaries. One station is
located on Military Trail in the Abacoa community. The second
station is located on U.S. 1 on property within Burt Reynolds
Park. The third station is located on Central Boulevard north
of Indiantown Road. It is expected that PBC will maintain
fire rescue operations at one of these three existing stations
to continue serving unincorporated residential properties
primarily in the northwestern Jupiter area.
A comprehensive study of potential fire station locations for
JFRD has been completed. The sites for the three stations that
JFRD will be using have been selected. The existing station in
Abacoa is already owned by the town, so JFRD will use it. The
town approached PBC about acquiring its existing fire station
on U.S. 1 but was rejected. That being the case, the town has
selected its Piatt Place property across the street on the other
side of U.S. 1 for its second fire station. The third fire station
will be located on the north side of Indiantown Road, a couple
of blocks east of Central Boulevard.
Town Council resolutions to grant site plan approvals
for the two new fire stations were considered during public
hearings at the July 16 Town Council meeting. Engineering and
architectural design work for these fire stations is now under
way. Construction is targeted to begin by the end of 2024.
Fire rescue vehicular equipment has multi-year long lead
times to secure, so it was ordered in late 2023. Four key JFRD
organizational positions have been filled to date, including fire
chief, deputy fire chief, executive assistant and EMS medical
director. They are now working to complete the essential
planning and implementation actions to create JFRD.
These fire rescue services’ cost containment efforts have
been undertaken to mitigate PBC’s ultimate goal for a $250
million ad valorem tax increase burden upon Town of Jupiter
residents and businesses for 10 years to continue providing its
contracted fire rescue services.
A Political Action Committee (PAC) funded 99.9 percent
by individuals outside of Jupiter sued the town in November
2023 to force the council to place an illegal question on an
upcoming ballot to change the town’s charter. In response to
the PAC’s lawsuit, and to save taxpayer money by avoiding
a lengthy legal process, the town filed a motion for summary
judgment (MSJ) in the case on July 3. A court hearing on this
motion is currently scheduled for mid-August 2024.
Stay tuned.
Local Government on page 20
