Flagler Beach, FL, Fire Chief Terminated Amid Resignations

The Flagler Beach Deputy Fire Chief who resigned recently will be coming back to lead the department, at least temporarily.

The move came Monday after Fire Chief Stephen Cox was fired following  mass resignations last month, FlaglerLive reported.

Cox, a 16-year member of the department, had been at the helm for a little over a year.

“Your termination is related to the loss of confidence expressed in the resignations of several members of the Fire Department and in the attached correspondence signed by the remaining members of the Fire Department. Given those conditions, I do not believe that you can effectively lead the City of Flagler Beach Fire Department," City Manager Dale Martin wrote in letter to Cox.

Some of the remaining as well as some who left signed a no-confidence letter citing isssues that affected morale and created a hostile environment.

Ex-Deputy Chief Jennifer Fiveash, who was among those who’d resigned, has agreed to return to be the interim fire chief. Lt. Morgan Rainey also followed suit.

“Acting Chief Fiveash is currently out-of-town, scheduled to return at the end of this week to assume the temporary role. I have full confidence in the remaining leadership and staff of the Fire Department to continue to provide the public safety support expected by Flagler Beach residents and businesses," Martin said, noting Rainey's decision to return.