(Editor’s note: This story was updated to add new information.)
DAYTONA BEACH — Amid controversy surrounding the city fire department and city spending in general, Fire Chief Dru Driscoll announced June 19 his plans to retire from the department on July 24.
His last physical day at the department will be July 9, Driscoll stated in his letter to City Manager Deric Feacher, which city spokeswoman Susan Cerbone provided to The News-Journal.
His letter doesn’t state a reason for his retirement, but it does criticize “default pessimism in today’s social-media driven culture.”
“Public discourse has frequently devolved into uninformed digital shouting and fact-less emotional commentary from individuals unwilling to educate themselves or roll up their sleeves to improve our community,” he stated. “Despite this shift in modern culture, I remain hopeful that an optimistic few will continue to carry that torch for a greater tomorrow.”
Driscoll didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Driscoll, 49, became fire chief 13 years ago, according to his letter. His annual salary was $232,000.
“I do not need to list the countless successes we have shared; It is enough to say we are a vastly more advanced and capable department today than we were 13 years ago,” he stated in his letter.
Financial probe found questionable spending at Daytona Beach Fire Department
Prosecutors from the Florida Attorney General’s Office have subpoenaed city officials as well as people outside of City Hall as part of its investigation. The city’s own internal auditor, Abinet Belachew, has been looking into spending as well.
Also, since February, state government auditors have been reviewing how the city uses its excess permits and licensing fee revenue; purchasing card use across multiple departments; and other issues, as previously reported. The Florida Attorney General’s office has also been asking questions.
Amid multiple investigations into the city’s financial practices, the Daytona Beach Fire Department has faced scrutiny.
In March, Belachew reported that the fire department used city purchasing cards to spend over $50,000 on food and $500,000 on vehicle maintenance from 2021 to 2025. Belachew’s report said some spending of taxpayer dollars wasn’t properly documented, and he found some violations of city spending policy.
Driscoll said at a City Commission meeting in April that Belachew’s report contained mistakes. Belachew said he gave Driscoll and the manager a draft report, which allowed them time to request corrections if needed.
Subpoenas issued in April ordered both Driscoll and Daytona Beach Fire Department Deputy Chief Jessica Matthews to appear at the Attorney General’s office in Daytona Beach to provide a sworn statement.
One subpoena also asked for “any emails to, from or including drudriscoll@yahoo.com.”
Belachew has also learned of allegations of improper relationships among a few Daytona Beach Fire Department employees, as The News-Journal previously reported.
Amid the investigations, one former battalion chief official told The News-Journal he believes his cooperation with the city auditor’s review cost him his job.
Former Daytona Beach battalion chief said he was fired for cooperating with auditor
Andre Chaney, a former battalion chief, told The News-Journal that he received notice from Driscoll on April 23 that he would be fired as of April 27, as previously reported. Chaney was accused of missing a mandatory meeting in March and lying about why he wasn’t there.
But Chaney said he believes he was fired for providing information to the auditor a few months prior. Daytona Beach City Manager Deric Feacher asked all employees to cooperate with the auditor’s investigation.
The city’s fire department has a seven stations and a budget of $21 million, according to the city.
On June 2, the fire department unveiled a roughly $27 million, 31,000 square-foot fire department headquarters and station that will also serve as the emergency operations center for the city. It was funded with a state grant of about $15 million and city funds.
This story included reporting from former staff writer Eileen Zaffiro-Kean.
— Sheldon Gardner covers Volusia County government, including Volusia County beaches, the city of Daytona Beach and other local governments in West Volusia.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Embattled Daytona Beach fire chief announces retirement
Reporting by Sheldon Gardner, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
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By Sheldon Gardner, Daytona Beach News-Journal | USA TODAY Network
