A Special Note

We’re releasing this episode in late March of 2020, which has turned the world topsy-turvey due to the coronavirus pandemic. We recorded this interview before the virus was worldwide news.

But it’s a great time to learn more about what our public service leaders like today’s guest, Chief Greg DeWitt are doing to help our community all the time, no matter what the crisis. If you have questions about how any of the classes and services Bonita Fire provides have changed due to the restrictions, please visit BonitaFire.org or give the non-emergency desk a call at 239.949.6200.

When you think of local businesses, you’re probably not thinking about one very big, very important local business.

In fact, this business had a budget last year of $38 million, and if you pay taxes in Bonita, about 70% of that was funded by you and me.

I’m talking about the Bonita Springs Fire Control & Rescue district, and today’s guest is Greg DeWitt, who became the CEO—better known as the fire chief—in January of 2020.

We dive into the business of the department, and surprisingly, it’s more than just putting out fires.

As you might expect, it’s a capital-intensive business, with a lot of physical properties to maintain—not just the trucks we think of, but firehouses themselves and all the specialty equipment that goes on a rig, and even a boat—which makes sense for our water-centric community, right?

But you might not expect that Bonita Fire is debt free, with careful planning ahead to be able to buy properties or replace equipment to support our town’s growth.

As a new chief but with a lot of history, we had a lot to talk about. So I’ve broken this interview into two separate episodes:

• At a high level, in this, the first part, we talk about the past and the present of the fire department
• In the second, we talk more about the future.

Listen to both episodes above!

For More

• BonitaFire.Org 
• 239-949-6200 (and of course, 911 for emergencies!)
• Public education courses

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