East Lake Tarpon Fire District Candidate: Sharon Hurst

East Lake Tarpon Special Fire District, Seat 3 Candidate: Sharon Hurst

• Age: 55
• Resident of: East Lake
• Occupation: Insurance Administration

Pinellas County has been struggling to figure out how to pay for EMS transport services with fewer tax dollars. What kind of emergency transport system do you think should eventually be implemented in Pinellas County and why? 

There is no service more capable of rapid, multifaceted response than a fire-based transport system. I believe the county would see savings if fire service-based EMS transport is implemented through out Pinellas County.

East Lake Tarpon Special Fire District has three fire stations strategically located and covers 33 square miles and departments provide 24/7 coverage. Fire service-based EMS is pre-hospital emergency 9-1-1 medical response provided by the firefighter EMTs and paramedics.

Due to the training, expertise, and equipment of fire service-based EMS responders, they are capable of simultaneously securing a scene, mitigating the hazard, and triaging, extricating, treating, decontaminating (if necessary), and transporting the patients who have been injured to an appropriate medical facility. 

What do you see as the top challenge facing the Palm Harbor Special Fire Control & Rescue District and what is your opinion on how to solve this challenge? 

The rising cost of operations, decreasing home values and increasing the home owners tax millage rates. 

Work to keep the tax millage rate as low as possible while ensuring the firefighters have the necessary funding to effectively serve and protect our community. Use the taxpayer's money to pay the operational expenses of the East Lake Tarpon Special Fire District instead of revenue sharing between alliances outside the fire department.  

What makes you the best person for the job? 

I am a 28-year resident of the East Lake community and for the past two  years I have immersed myself in the workings of the East Lake Tarpon Special Fire District and have attended and participated in monthly board meetings for over two years. It is what I have observed and learned that motivated me to seek election to the East Lake Tarpon Special Fire District Board of Commissioners. 

I have the ability to identify areas of concern and make recommendations as to how to solve the problems that effect the East Lake Tarpon Special Fire District budget while giving maximum transparency.

My diverse background includes:

• Insurance Administration
• Sales, Marketing, Leadership & Training
• Big Brother Big Sisters
• Casper Group
• Adoption by Choice--
• Hospice
• Lakeside Christian School
• Host home for the Intern Academy
• Mentor for The Harbor Student Ministries
• Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)