Candidate: Jeff A Dirling

I have devoted my life to being a firefighter.  With over 20 years of experience in the fire service I recognize the need for a progressive, well-trained, and well-staffed fire department.  Parrish Fire Department is filled with wonderful employees and volunteers who have done an outstanding job over the years.  With the growth that is happening in Parrish in the last several years, there is a great need for emergencies services to grow along with it.  I'm looking to help support and even encourage this growth to take place.  We need to make sure that Parrish Fire Department continues to be one of the best in the county and grows right along with the area so they can continue to provide excellent service to the community.  

My wife of 20 years and I have been a resident of Manatee County for almost 20 years now, therefore we have had the opportunity to see the explosive growth in Parrish taking place.  My goal is to have the fire department grow right along with it and ensure each citizen of Parrish is afforded the very best in fire protection.  We all hope that calling the fire department is one thing you hope to never have to do in your lifetime, but it's nice to know that if you do, Parrish Fire will be there with well-trained and professional personnel to help.  As a member of the International Association of Firefighters, the Florida Professional Firefighters, and Suncoast Professional Firefighters and and Paramedics Local 2546, I have the knowledge and tools to make this happen.