Q & A With Jim Burke

Interview questionnaire with Sandy Parker with Sparker’s Soapbox

About you:

  •  How old are you? 84 years old
  • In what part of Collier County do you live? North Naples (Pelican Bay)
  • How long have you lived in Collier County, and where were you living previously?
    I am a 24-year resident having previously lived, for 20 years, in Germantown. (‘Memphis) Tn.
  • What is your educational background and past work experiences?
    I am a graduate of LeMoyne College, Syracuse, NY with a BS in Industrial Relations.
    Management positions with Procter & Gamble, Holiday Inns Hotels and Promus Hotels.
  • What qualifies you for this job?
    I believe that my involvement in many sectors of community governance serves as a major qualifier for the fire commissioner position. I have served as the Board Chairman of my condo association, chairmanship of the Pelican Bay Services Division and a term as chairman of the Collier County Coastal Advisory Committee coupled with my fourteen years’ service as a fire Commissioner provides me with the experience and perspective to be a contributing member of the NCFD Board of Commissioners.

Why are you running for this position?

I am running for reelection in an effort to play a major role in preparing the NCFD for the challenges facing emergency services providers in a growing service delivery area.

What are three things you want to accomplish if you are elected?

If reelected, I will work with my fellow commissioners to add three new fire stations to the district’s existing 12, expand the district’s emergency medical service delivery reach and solidify
the district’s financial future.

Name one past policy decision of the board you are running for that you disagree with that you would like to change if elected. Why?

There isn’t one.

What is the most important thing voters should know about the issues at stake in this election, before making their decision about who to vote for?

Voters should be aware of the challenges facing the agency that responds to their 911 calls. The district has grown in area served, population served, services provided as well as skills required of the fire fighter first responders. All of which must be properly funded if the service is to continue expanding an improving. Experienced Commissioners, working closely with staff leadership is vitally important at this point in time.

Conversion to Elite All Hazard Team

Advanced Emergency Agency – A Conversion to Elite

911 Emergency Services – What Matters?

During my 14 years of service on the Board the District transitioned from a highly regarded, effective, efficient fire fighting department becoming, in addition, an elite Emergency Medical Services Agency (EMS).

The transition is an ongoing success with NCFD residents benefiting from the emergency medical services provided by the skilled first responders of the NCFD. I am proud that I have been in a position to support this important transition.

This transition was fueled by an aging population resulting in 80% of our 911 calls being medical in nature. NCFD adapted and responded. Consider the following:

  • All 223 of our uniformed first responders are qualified Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT’s)
  • 112 of them are Paramedics trained to apply Advanced Life Support (ALS) skills in treating 911 callers.
  • During the Corona Virus pandemic the NCFD paramedics vaccinated over 9 thousand residents of Pelican Bay, Naples Park & Pelican Marsh.
  • To maintain certification the District’s EMT’s & Paramedics must earn continuing training credits. A working relationship with Arthex is an example of the clinical training
    Opportunities available to NCFD first responders
  • Every NCFD 911 response will include a minimum of one well trained para medic along with skilled EMT’s.

It is my intent to assure that the resources needed to continue providing, and improving, these vital skills are are adequate at all times.

When You Dial 911 – What Do You Expect?

What You Want

  • Rapid Response
  • Well Trained Personnel
  • Saving Life and Property.

I’m Jim Burke one of your North Collier Fire District Commissioners. I am seeking re-election, and your vote, so that I can continue my support of efforts on behalf of the life saving, property protecting emergency services provided by the North Collier Fire District first responders. Remember that skilled, rapid response, to your 911 calls can be, and often is, the difference between life and death.

I Will Continue To:

  • Work to reduce 911 response times
  • Promote service delivery effectiveness
  • Promote Rigorous & Consistent Training
  • Lead the fight to reduce overhead costs
  • Listen and respond to resident’s concerns
  • Serve as The People’s Commissioner

Vote for Jim Burke in the November 8th General Election.

Why Jim Burke?

JIM BURKE IS ASKING FOR YOUR VOTE

What do you get when you vote for Jim Burke? You get an experienced fire commissioner who is committed to:

  • RAPID RESPONSE TO YOUR 911 CALLS
  • SKILLED FIRST RESPONDERS
  • LIFE & PROPERTY PROTECTED
  • AN ELITE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES TEAM
  • DEDICATED ALL HAZARDS AGENCY.

Jim Burke has a long history of community involvement. A history that enables him to be an effective NCFD commissioner. He has worked at being the “PEOPLES COMMISSIONER.” Consider the following:

  • NORTH COLLIER FIRE DISTRICT COMMISSIONER – 14 years
  • COLLIER COUNTY COASTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE – 16 Years
  • PELICAN BAY SERVICES DIVISION BOARD – 8 years
  • PELICAN BAY PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION – 14 years
  • COLLIER COUNTY REPUBLICAN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. – 18 years
  • COLLIER COUNTY REPUBLICAN MENS CLUB – 8 Years
  • COLLIER HARVEST VOLUNTEER – 18 years
  • ST. WILLIAM KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COUNCIL & ASSEMBLY – 22 years
  • YEAR ROUND RESIDENT – 24 YEARS
  • MANAGEMENT POSITIONS WITH Proctor & GAMBLE, HOLIDAY INNS, PROMUS HOTELS

With Jim Burke as your NCFD Commissioner you get an individual who has been deeply involved in the fire district as well as the Collier County Community. He is a dedicated public servant who understands public safety. Return him to office:

VOTE JIM BURKE FOR NORTH COLLIER FIRE DISTRICT COMMISSIONER, SEAT 2

North Collier Fire District Mission

North Collier Fire District Mission

Commissioner Jim Burke is committed to a close relationship with NCFD Command Staff in a manner designed to successfully carry out the NCFD Mission and Vision

NCFD Mission:

  • To protect lives and property in an efficient, yet effective manner ….
  • NCFD VISION;Efficient and effective quality service today and tomorrow.
  • Commissioner Jim Burke understands the need for governing policies to support and promote the Districts Mission and Vision.

Did You Know? – Over 20 Fire Districts

Did You Know?

There are over 20 independent fire districts functioning within Collier and Lee Counties.

Each Districts Board of Commissioners has the authority to levy annual ad valorem tax rates

The NCFD Board with its close working relationship with command staff has long maintained the lowest ad valorem tax rate with Collier and Lee Counties

This has been accomplished while the demand for services has dramatically increased