Comments on: Escambia County Starting Over In Search For Fire Chief, Rejecting Four Finalists

By: Roger Burton

Roger Burton — Thu, 11 Feb 2021 21:01:29 +0000

I really wish they would have expanded on my qualifications. I have over 32 years experience, both civilian and military in the fire service. I spent the last 10 years of my career as chief of a combination civilian/military department. I worked my way up from the line to Chief Officer. I also have a degree in Fire Science. Yes I’m retired now, but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t put everything I’m passionate about into this position.

By: Suprtdahustle

Suprtdahustle — Sun, 07 Feb 2021 03:27:00 +0000

Let’s take a step back and look at this. Because I see this as a positive direction personally. My understanding is ultimately the decision to do this falls solely on County Admistrator Gilley. Which leads me to believe yes man, bait and switch, dumbing down requirements, and all the fodder has obviously been seen by those in power, and perhaps just maybe there’s been a change of heart for someone…..one can only hope.

I understand some are upset they saw it in the media and didn’t receive word personally. Yes a county wide departmental email would have been nice, but hasn’t one of the upper management of fire been out for the past week? I believe they usually are the one who gets that information. I would think maybe this wasn’t a slight at fire at all but just a clerical oversight by those filling in? I mean, one can only hope.

So back to the drawing board it is. Hopefully the powers that be realize the pay for the job wasn’t something to have qualified applicants tripping over themselves to apply. Maybe someone realized citizens are taking notice and watching closely for indiscrepancies. Perhaps, and this is the theory I’m going with as I muddle through comments I personally receive, is that there was lots of negativity surrounding this hiring process and no matter who would have been hired regardless of qualifications and where they were from, they would have been tainted by the negativity of it all, so someone had the bright idea to throw this list out and start fresh and new. At least that’s my hope.

As a citizen, actively working in my personal capacity, with my resources and relationships; as someone not employed by the county and someone with nothing to gain by advocating for public safety; as someone sitting back and wrapping my mind around all the information I’m receiving; I’m taking a step back and seeing new leadership stepping in and doing what they can to get the ship back upright. That ship has been sinking for awhile. But, there’s a renewed positivity amongst the ranks and slowly everyone is coming together to work collectively to bail out the water. A reverse lay instead of a forward lay. A left handed search instead of a right handed search. A BVM instead of oxygen.

So maybe, we can all just step back for a minute, set emotions aside, and objectively look at this. Could we all possibly agree this is a step in the right direction?

http://www.northescambia.com/2021/02/escambia-county-starting-over-in-search-for-fire-chief-rejecting-four-finalists?fbclid=IwAR117lKGtZDUKKP5v-Lt-TF5NG3zvpZSZ82JfAvJzUiaMhLtAar08Fukppk

By: Robert

Robert — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 15:52:02 +0000

Who the hell is Melissa Pino?? No, honestly. She thinks she runs Escambia County. Is she a keyboard commando that doesn’t have a life and tries to destroy everyone elses?

By: yall have no clue

yall have no clue — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 13:27:00 +0000

stop with the ignorance. the decision was made based on the lack of quality candidates. one of the candidates didn’t make the top seven and then mysteriously appeared in the top 4 after two candidates researched escambia and discovered the mess they would inherit and hit the road. one candidate is under grand jury investigation. so was it a waste of money. yep. only one person to blame for that. when you have qual’s like the ones listed, this is what you get. take a look.

Training and Experience:

Two years of college level coursework in Fire Sciences, Fire Management, Business, Public
Administration or related field and a minimum of ten years of progressively responsible
firefighting/rescue experience, including three years management experience at the Battalion/District
Chief level or above; or, a combination of education and experience equivalent to these
requirements

By: Mr. Reality

Mr. Reality — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 09:06:46 +0000

Mo money mo money mo money.

By: Insight

Insight — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 18:55:38 +0000

For such an important position and responsibility it would seem if you have been able to retain or gather a list of qualified that may fit that they may be better served to have professional consultation who specialize in assessment of the current organization and culture as well as candidate searches. You can actually “spend some” to ultimately “save some”

By: Time for change

Time for change — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 17:07:14 +0000

Maybe they should start over at the top. It amazes me the problems this department has and continues to have since inception in 2000. One thing that hasn’t changed is the Deputy Chief and Bat. Chiefs, has anyone thought they could be part of the problem? I’d bring in a true outside person, let them pick their own command staff to carry out their vision of what a combination department truly is.

By: "A Listers"

"A Listers" — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 13:21:29 +0000

Your “public opinion picks” didn’t make the cut….. Start over Public Safety Dept. Open back up the offer. We deserve the best out there.

By: Klondike Kid

Klondike Kid — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 12:37:39 +0000

Couldn’t find the right outlander I guess . The BOCC love them some outlanders .

By: and it continues

and it continues — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 08:52:37 +0000

Did Melisa Pino busybody candidate for D2 interfere with the hiring of Hatch?

You think Underhill is toxic?
MP is kryptonite.

Don’t New York. Boston, Philadelphia, my Florida