FLAGLER BEACH — Just days after hearing the acting fire chief’s concerns about staff shortages at the department, the City Commission has agreed to seek help from its westside neighbors.
In a unanimous approval, the board June 1 signed its part of a proposed interlocal agreement with Palm Coast to help the understaffing challenges faced by the Flagler Beach Fire Department.
The agreement, which still needs the Palm Coast City Council’s approval, would be valid for four weeks.
According to Acting Fire Chief Jennifer Fiveash, the assistance from Palm Coast firefighters could begin as early as June 4 or as late as June 7.
Fiveash told commissioners last week that the five fire department members “are working 48 hours on, 24 off, which is the opposite of what is supposed to be happening.”
“When we need nine, we have five running,” Fiveash said.
For a $54,000 fee, Palm Coast firefighters would provide the needed response coverage staff.
The Palm Coast City Council will consider the agreement during its June 2 meeting, scheduled for 6 p.m.
Why is Flagler Beach asking for help from Palm Coast firefighters?
The situation began more than a month ago, when several Flagler Beach Fire Department members resigned, some later citing a “loss of confidence” in then-Fire Chief Stephen Cox.
The problem grew worse when City Manager Dale Martin fired Cox in the wake of those resignations, as well as citing a staff letter claiming the former chief contributed to a “hostile work environment” and criticizing “deficiencies in leadership.”
Among those resignations were Lt. Trey Poeira, who was with the department for seven years, and Fire Inspector Bruce Adams, who have joined Flagler County Fire Rescue and the Osceola County Fire Rescue, respectively.
There are currently four positions open for the fire department, according to Martin.
With only five firefighters on staff, county crews have been able to provide coverage when needed, “but we have been struggling to get them to fill shifts, which have continued to burden our crews right now.
Fiveash emphasized, however, that the agreement with the county is a verbal one.
So to reduce some of that burden, and to not take down staffing so that the community is still being served … I would like a formal plan put in place,” Fiveash told commissioners. “That way we are not going day by day.”
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Flagler Beach OKs agreement with Palm Coast for firefighters’ help
Reporting by Brenno Carillo, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
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