Comments on: Four Candidates Under Consideration To Be The Next Escambia County Fire Chief http://www.northescambia.com/2021/04/four-candidates-under-consideration-to-be-the-next-escambia-county-fire-chief Local News for Molino, Bratt, McDavid, Century, Walnut Hill, Cantonment Fri, 03 Apr 2026 18:45:02 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Time for Major Changes http://www.northescambia.com/2021/04/four-candidates-under-consideration-to-be-the-next-escambia-county-fire-chief/comment-page-1#comment-449729 Time for Major Changes Thu, 29 Apr 2021 01:10:46 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=439447#comment-449729 Well i do hope these 4 gentlemen have done their due diligence and research into ECFR. As all on this know it is a true mess and not showing any promise of change from the BOCC, The administration is spending a lot of money for this Fire Chief search and still after over 2 years we have a Deputy Chief as the interim Fire Chief. in the natural agenda he should be move to the Chief of Department I do feel personally having retired from the FDNY. Their needs change in many areas of the ECFR. Seems the ECFR is looked at as a redheaded step child Department and the BOCC is putting every citizen and business in jeopardy for our safety, not only in the Fire Department but the EMS as well. Time to get a leader that is not a YES man on the job. One that will take the bull by the horns and begin to hold people accountable for their actions or inactions.. Lets all remember the Fire Service follows a military style chain of command , The Fire Chief sits at the top and is responsible to set up his command as he seeks fit to do so. My question is will the Administration and BOCC going to allow the new man to do that. I do wish if any of these 4 do get the position they understand what lays ahead for them and will be given the proper Budget and Tools to correct all the issues in a very quick and timely manner.. My comment on bringing in a outsider is this could be a good move, They have no ties to any of the "Good Ole Boy Club". this can be a good thing unless the Union ad good ole boys decide they don't like or care for them. Or their ideas of change. Yes they at first will not have any connections to our area but if they are treated as they should be will become good leaders. We all will see in time what happens. If I were a betting man I would be bet on another year tops for a new Fire Chief without the need change and backing by Administration and BOCC., Well i do hope these 4 gentlemen have done their due diligence and research into ECFR. As all on this know it is a true mess and not showing any promise of change from the BOCC,

The administration is spending a lot of money for this Fire Chief search and still after over 2 years we have a Deputy Chief as the interim Fire Chief. in the natural agenda he should be move to the Chief of Department

I do feel personally having retired from the FDNY. Their needs change in many areas of the ECFR. Seems the ECFR is looked at as a redheaded step child Department and the BOCC is putting every citizen and business in jeopardy for our safety, not only in the Fire Department but the EMS as well.

Time to get a leader that is not a YES man on the job. One that will take the bull by the horns and begin to hold people accountable for their actions or inactions..

Lets all remember the Fire Service follows a military style chain of command , The Fire Chief sits at the top and is responsible to set up his command as he seeks fit to do so. My question is will the Administration and BOCC going to allow the new man to do that.

I do wish if any of these 4 do get the position they understand what lays ahead for them and will be given the proper Budget and Tools to correct all the issues in a very quick and timely manner..

My comment on bringing in a outsider is this could be a good move, They have no ties to any of the “Good Ole Boy Club”. this can be a good thing unless the Union ad good ole boys decide they don’t like or care for them. Or their ideas of change. Yes they at first will not have any connections to our area but if they are treated as they should be will become good leaders.

We all will see in time what happens. If I were a betting man I would be bet on another year tops for a new Fire Chief without the need change and backing by Administration and BOCC.,

]]> By: CHARLIE ODOM http://www.northescambia.com/2021/04/four-candidates-under-consideration-to-be-the-next-escambia-county-fire-chief/comment-page-1#comment-449379 CHARLIE ODOM Mon, 26 Apr 2021 18:58:07 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=439447#comment-449379 Seriously? Work your whole life as a fireman, risking your life, working asinine shifts, getting paid a dismal salary, only to find out the ONLY candidates who are considered are not even from the payroll? And the county wonders why they can't hire anyone!!! Seriously? Work your whole life as a fireman, risking your life, working asinine shifts, getting paid a dismal salary, only to find out the ONLY candidates who are considered are not even from the payroll?

And the county wonders why they can’t hire anyone!!!

]]> By: Lmbo http://www.northescambia.com/2021/04/four-candidates-under-consideration-to-be-the-next-escambia-county-fire-chief/comment-page-1#comment-449058 Lmbo Fri, 23 Apr 2021 22:13:47 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=439447#comment-449058 Hire from within........ have you seen some of them they are the problem! You wonder why Volunteers left look at what’s there. The same clowns that are there are GOBC. Wanna get hired better know someone or be the flavor of the month club. Wipe the command staff and replace them all with someone who buys into the system. Hire from within…….. have you seen some of them they are the problem! You wonder why Volunteers left look at what’s there. The same clowns that are there are GOBC. Wanna get hired better know someone or be the flavor of the month club. Wipe the command staff and replace them all with someone who buys into the system.

]]> By: James http://www.northescambia.com/2021/04/four-candidates-under-consideration-to-be-the-next-escambia-county-fire-chief/comment-page-1#comment-449054 James Fri, 23 Apr 2021 20:38:03 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=439447#comment-449054 Candidates, don't get your hopes up. Chances are the process will be terminated and a new search will begin to put you through the entire painstaking process yet again. Candidates, don’t get your hopes up. Chances are the process will be terminated and a new search will begin to put you through the entire painstaking process yet again.

]]> By: Suzie B http://www.northescambia.com/2021/04/four-candidates-under-consideration-to-be-the-next-escambia-county-fire-chief/comment-page-1#comment-449048 Suzie B Fri, 23 Apr 2021 18:38:53 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=439447#comment-449048 Mr. Hatch would have done an excellent job in my opinion. It's a shame we are at the point that they won't select someone local who really cares about our area. Mr. Hatch continues to serve and has proven his dedication through the many years of his service starting back in the early 80's. It seems that quite a few very qualified folks have been passed over. Mr. Hatch would have done an excellent job in my opinion. It’s a shame we are at the point that they won’t select someone local who really cares about our area. Mr. Hatch continues to serve and has proven his dedication through the many years of his service starting back in the early 80’s. It seems that quite a few very qualified folks have been passed over.

]]> By: tg http://www.northescambia.com/2021/04/four-candidates-under-consideration-to-be-the-next-escambia-county-fire-chief/comment-page-1#comment-449047 tg Fri, 23 Apr 2021 18:30:32 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=439447#comment-449047 Easy way to get to Florida and look for another job. Easy way to get to Florida and look for another job.

]]> By: RogoB http://www.northescambia.com/2021/04/four-candidates-under-consideration-to-be-the-next-escambia-county-fire-chief/comment-page-1#comment-449040 RogoB Fri, 23 Apr 2021 16:39:48 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=439447#comment-449040 As one of the first four, knowing what I know now, it was a blessing to not be picked! I met a lot of the firefighters during the 2 days I was there and I can say without a doubt, I would put them up against any department in the country. Truly some awesome folks at ECFR. I wish you all the best and sincerely hope you get the leader you deserve. As one of the first four, knowing what I know now, it was a blessing to not be picked! I met a lot of the firefighters during the 2 days I was there and I can say without a doubt, I would put them up against any department in the country. Truly some awesome folks at ECFR. I wish you all the best and sincerely hope you get the leader you deserve.

]]> By: Ponder this http://www.northescambia.com/2021/04/four-candidates-under-consideration-to-be-the-next-escambia-county-fire-chief/comment-page-1#comment-449029 Ponder this Fri, 23 Apr 2021 14:11:13 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=439447#comment-449029 1. Everyone talks about the GOBC. That's why there are no locals. No local wants this job because they know what they would be dealing with and the other camp would profess, see, they hired one of their buddies. So which would you want? Neither camp will be satisfied. 2. The BOCC would be hard pressed to "run off" or fire the new FC due to the carousel of PS administrators and FC's in recent history. How would it look if the BOCC or one of the BOCC got a burr under their saddle about the new FC? 3. IMO new blood is good for ECFR. He may be able to promote the good the "union thug" FF's do w/ the burn fund and the charity house and the great customer service they provide. 4. Actually place "volunteer" FF's that are qualified on actual shifts at a fire station to bolster the staffing around the clock rather than just show up when a call goes out or hang around for awhile at the fire station. They would receive regular, consistent training that would benefit them and the community they serve. 5. Help educate the citizens on what, why and how ECFR operates and the actual benefits of having career staffed fire stations. Think ISO and your homeowners insurance price. 6. Foster a better working relationship between ECFR/EMS/ECSO and the like to make incidents and events safer and more efficient. 7. Move ECFR forward and make the salary and benefits comparable to surrounding municipalities so they don't have a revolving door of personnel. Seasoned FF's are valuable to you and the crew they are assigned to. FYI - there have been several minority FF's, male and female, that have left for higher paying jobs. ECFR hires those who are qualified. So the notion that some may have that ECFR isn't diverse and inclusive is dead wrong. They were and still are. Pay was the factor in their decision, not because of anything that segregated them. 1. Everyone talks about the GOBC. That’s why there are no locals. No local wants this job because they know what they would be dealing with and the other camp would profess, see, they hired one of their buddies. So which would you want? Neither camp will be satisfied.
2. The BOCC would be hard pressed to “run off” or fire the new FC due to the carousel of PS administrators and FC’s in recent history. How would it look if the BOCC or one of the BOCC got a burr under their saddle about the new FC?
3. IMO new blood is good for ECFR. He may be able to promote the good the “union thug” FF’s do w/ the burn fund and the charity house and the great customer service they provide.
4. Actually place “volunteer” FF’s that are qualified on actual shifts at a fire station to bolster the staffing around the clock rather than just show up when a call goes out or hang around for awhile at the fire station. They would receive regular, consistent training that would benefit them and the community they serve.
5. Help educate the citizens on what, why and how ECFR operates and the actual benefits of having career staffed fire stations. Think ISO and your homeowners insurance price.
6. Foster a better working relationship between ECFR/EMS/ECSO and the like to make incidents and events safer and more efficient.
7. Move ECFR forward and make the salary and benefits comparable to surrounding municipalities so they don’t have a revolving door of personnel. Seasoned FF’s are valuable to you and the crew they are assigned to.

FYI – there have been several minority FF’s, male and female, that have left for higher paying jobs. ECFR hires those who are qualified. So the notion that some may have that ECFR isn’t diverse and inclusive is dead wrong. They were and still are. Pay was the factor in their decision, not because of anything that segregated them.

]]> By: History http://www.northescambia.com/2021/04/four-candidates-under-consideration-to-be-the-next-escambia-county-fire-chief/comment-page-1#comment-449028 History Fri, 23 Apr 2021 14:08:41 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=439447#comment-449028 All comments are on target. History of our Fire Department has shown that out of the area candidates don’t last because they aren’t vested in our area. Someone can’t move from another state and suddenly care about their neighbors. A Fire Chief must be part of the community they serve. All comments are on target. History of our Fire Department has shown that out of the area candidates don’t last because they aren’t vested in our area. Someone can’t move from another state and suddenly care about their neighbors. A Fire Chief must be part of the community they serve.

]]> By: No One http://www.northescambia.com/2021/04/four-candidates-under-consideration-to-be-the-next-escambia-county-fire-chief/comment-page-1#comment-449024 No One Fri, 23 Apr 2021 13:34:45 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=439447#comment-449024 For those who keep asking why they cannot promote from within: Escambia county has suffered for the past 30 years with a "good ole boy system". Friends, friends of friends, and now the children of friends have been promoted not for their own merit but for who they are friends with. Has everyone forgotten the crew of guys from EMS who are all facing fraud charges? Most of them were the former director's golden children. Fire is no different. Sexual Harassment, unfair labor practices, on and on it has gone. Get some fresh blood in and raise the standards. For those who keep asking why they cannot promote from within:

Escambia county has suffered for the past 30 years with a “good ole boy system”. Friends, friends of friends, and now the children of friends have been promoted not for their own merit but for who they are friends with.

Has everyone forgotten the crew of guys from EMS who are all facing fraud charges? Most of them were the former director’s golden children. Fire is no different.

Sexual Harassment, unfair labor practices, on and on it has gone. Get some fresh blood in and raise the standards.

]]>