Marion County Fire Rescue Chief James Banta, left, speaks as MCFR Deputy Chief Robert Graff listens during a Professional Firefighters of Marion County (IAFF Local 3169) collective bargaining agreement meeting with the Marion County Board of County Commissioners in Ocala on May 12, 2026. Department leaders estimated this employee turnover and reliance on noncertified recruits was costing the county $17.5 million. Deputy Chief Rob Graff then delivered an update that hadn’t been heard in Marion County in at least a decade: the department’s dual-certified ranks (firefighter and EMT or Paramedic) were fully staffed. While slashing overtime and trainee expenses will save the county millions, building the D-Shift requires an upfront investment in personnel. Department projections show that the total cost of staffing the D-Shift at $32.4 million annually.