LAUDERDALE BY THE SEA, Fla.-- Residents gathered at Town Hall Friday night to show support for volunteer firefighters who have served the area for decades.
Many of the firefighters were shocked to learn earlier this week that the Broward Sheriff's Office Department of Fire Rescue's partnership with them was over. Citing safety and leadership problems, department Chief Joseph Lello terminated the agreement Tuesday.
Without the contract, the town's 60 or so volunteer firefighters can't respond to calls and aren't allowed inside the firehouse. The Sheriff's Office currently charges the town about $2 million a year to fight fires.
Commissioners voted 3-2 to table a motion that would get rid of the Sheriff's Office fire services. The issue will be discussed at Tuesday's regular meeting, where the residents who attended Friday's session plan to argue the town's Fire Department can function without the Sheriff's Office.
Mayor Oliver Parker and Commissioners John Yanni and Chuck Clark left when the meeting was over. Commissioners Jerome McIntee and Jim Silverstone stayed behind and heard public comment .
Silverstone, who is also the volunteer fire chief, has said his department would save the town money . McIntee also serves as the deputy fire chief. "It's the commission's obligation to do the will of the people. They're your fire department," said McIntee.
Elliot Cohen, spokesman for the Sheriff's Office, said in a phone interview his agency stands by its decision.
The Sheriff's Office and volunteers have been at odds about who should provide fire service. Several meetings were held in the past few months to discuss the issue.
Parker said the discussion that was held after the meeting was adjourned violated the state's Sunshine laws. Silverstone disagreed, saying he contacted the State Attorney's Office and was told the discussion was not a violation.
Several volunteer firefighters were present for the meeting. They included Yann Brandt. "The support is unbelievable. They [residents] are intelligent. They see that this is wrong."
Republished with permission of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
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