The Tampa firefighters' union says parts of New Tampa are waiting far too long for help, and a recent shuffle of fire resources is only making nerves worse in one fast-growing corner of the city.
Union-shared data shows several stations in and around New Tampa averaging roughly 9.5 to more than 10.5 minutes of travel time to calls, well above industry targets. The concern has grown louder since a unit was relocated from Station 23 to Ybor City, and Tampa City Council has now set a briefing this week to dig into coverage in New Tampa, with a special focus on the K‑Bar Ranch neighborhood.
Union Data Raises Alarm
Nick Stocco, president of Tampa Firefighters Local 754, told reporters that the combination of rising call volume and the unit’s relocation has stretched coverage thin in New Tampa. According to FOX 13 Tampa Bay, union figures show Stations 20 through 23 in and around New Tampa averaging about 9.5 to more than 10.5 minutes of travel time.
Industry standards paint a stark contrast. The NFPA 1710 benchmark calls for the first-arriving unit to reach 90% of incidents within four minutes of travel time. The union’s New Tampa averages are roughly double that target, a gap that union leaders and some council members say cannot be ignored.
Council Sets Briefing
Tampa City Council has scheduled a Thursday briefing with Tampa Fire Rescue and Local 754 to review response times and coverage in New Tampa, with Chief Barbara Tripp expected to present. According to the City Council transcript, council members specifically requested a focused look at K‑Bar Ranch and asked for department and union presentations on response data and FY27 budget priorities.
Local planning documents and previous coverage have long flagged New Tampa’s sprawl and limited access roads, especially around K‑Bar Ranch, as key reasons for longer travel times. Bay News 9 has reported that growth, neighborhood layouts and the number of stations serving the area have stretched Tampa Fire Rescue’s reach.
Local 754 is pressing city leaders to add resources instead of shifting them, arguing that relocations hurt coverage in outlying neighborhoods. The union, which represents Tampa firefighters, lists its offices and contact information on its site, Local 754. Council members are set to hear from both the department and the union at Thursday’s briefing before deciding what, if any, changes come next.
