WUFT News News and Public Media for North Central Florida from the University of Florida in Gainesville
Struggling with adjusting to the new conditions imposed by the pandemic, the Priest Theatre, the mainstay of downtown High Springs, will soon close.
Read More »‘It’s A Move We’ve Got to Make’: Priest Theatre In High Springs About To Be Sold
Gainesville Fire Rescue Chief Lane To Retire
After 30 years of service, Gainesville Fire Rescue Chief Lane will retire on Sept. 30.
Read More »Alachua County Handles Fire Rescue Budget Request Amid Coronavirus Emergency
In short, more people are now allowed into places like grocery stores.
Read More »Florida Senate Bill to Allow Law Enforcement An Expanded Use Of Drones
Scott Fielding, drone specialist at Alachua County Fire Rescue, said the use of drones has been important for his department.
Read More »Newberry Residents Rejoice Over New Rescue Truck
The Newberry Fire Department added it's 13th rescue truck this week. City leaders and residents hope this could lead to significantly faster response times.
Read More »Public Safety Department Heads Present Data, Solutions For I-75 Safety
Alachua County Commissioners on Tuesday heard at least one conclusion they already knew: Interstate 75's passage through the county is a double-edged sword.
Read More »Firefighters Lobby State To Pass Cancer-Protection Bill
Firefighter Joey Malphurs is pushing for a bill that would help cover firefighters across the state who develop one of 21 kinds of cancer. The bill, HB 857, has 70 co-sponsors in the Florida House.
Read More »LaCrosse Gets New Fire Engine After Month Without
The LaCrosse Fire Department went without a fire engine for the entire month of October before purchasing a new 2012 Pierce Dash engine.
Read More »What A Dementia Care and Cure Initiative Task Force Means For Gainesville
Alachua County and the city of Gainesville became the ninth community in Florida to begin a Dementia Care and Cure Initiative task force.
Read More »Fire Departments In Alachua County Dealing With Increasing Turnover Rates Due To Lower Salaries
A dual firefighter and emergency medical technician working at the High Springs Fire Department earns an average of $29,704 annually. The same position at Alachua County Fire Rescue equates to $33,357 per year. The salary for the same position at a South Florida town of Boca Raton is $47, 448 per year. “The turnover rate is high for us, compared to what we’ve been at in previous years,” said Harold Pheus, deputy chief of Alachua County Fire Rescue. “That’s one thing that has made us concerned about our wages.”
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