Jumpline MAG_Sum_Fall 2025 - Flipbook - Page 8
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1403 Of昀椀cers
Paul D Blake, Ret.
Treasurer
TREA$URER’$ Update
On the second pay period in October,
membership dues will increase to
$50.19. Not all dues are equal. Many
have amounts higher than that because
you may have optional life insurance and/or vision coverage. If
you have a question about your dues, feel free to reach out to
me.
While we lost Bill Gustin, we also lost an Icon to L-1403 – Carl
Stridfelt Sr. Carl was instrumental in taking us from under the
control of the Dade County Sheriff. He was also instrumental
in passing legislation that would grant (昀椀re昀椀ghters) collective
bargaining rights. Carl was also a 昀椀reman’s 昀椀reman.
It was great to see so many of you at the 344Fire. Many of
you had the chance to experience the dynamics of a wildland 昀椀re
versus a structure 昀椀re. The 昀椀re behavior was extreme and there
were constant changes in direction of the winds. At one point
the humidity dropped below 20% which is signi昀椀cant considering
that our fuels are 昀氀ammable in the 70% range. The stakeholders
have three years to 昀椀gure out “land management” before
the fuels grow back and we are once again faced
with a similar 昀椀re. I believe the Nascar race would
have been canceled had we not had winds which
kept the smoke from impacting the racetrack.
awaiting funds from the county. When that occurs, entities which
covered costs for the trust, will be reimbursed. We are in the
process of 昀椀ling the paperwork with the Division of Elections for
our second political committee – Metro Dade Fire昀椀ghters PAC.
This PAC will be funded with your contributions towards the FPF
until we make a 昀椀nal determination on our membership with the
state organization. The Metro Dade Fire昀椀ghters PAC will focus
on state issues, while our other PAC will focus on municipal and
county issues.
There is discussion about eliminating property
taxes in favor of increased sales taxes. Our
organization received 85% of i’s revenue from
property taxes.
The comment about never being able to own your own home
because of this are not true. You can own your home, but what
maintains the value of it are the level of services you receive,
funded from property taxes.
If you choose not to contribute to FF Charities or the
Firepac, please let me know. If you want to join or
increase your contributions, please let me know.
The resiliency foundation trust
has been established and we are
I can be reached at paul.blake@local1403.org.
Thank you.
Paul Blake
Summer/Fall 2025 | JUMPLINE Magazine
