Florida
New scrutiny for Apopka’s Fire Chief over handling of firefighter’s death
New scrutiny for Apopka’s Hearth Chief over dealing with of firefighter’s dying
Apopka’s Hearth Chief is on skinny ice and will quickly be out of a job. That is all in response to the misplaced lifetime of 25-year-old firefighter Austin Duran and the alleged lack of motion that has adopted.
APOPKA, Fla. – Apopka’s Hearth Chief might quickly be out of a job. No less than two of the Metropolis’s Council members instructed he step down or be fired.
“In my thoughts, there’s just one plan of action, and that’s new management,” mentioned Councilman Kyle Becker.
That every one occurred at a Metropolis Council assembly Wednesday that started tearful and ended fiery. The Metropolis was discussing modifications to the Hearth Division following the dying of 25-year-old firefighter Austin Duran.
Duran was introduced because the Apopka Hearth Division’s Firefighter of the Yr Wednesday. That was a bittersweet sentiment for Duran’s household.
“I’m struggling to be an solely youngster. I’m fighting my previous, my future, and myself. I’m fighting the lack of my brother, Duran’s sister, Sierra, mentioned throughout Wednesday’s council assembly. “I need everybody that’s listening to know the burden of what was misplaced and might by no means be regained.”
The Metropolis of Apopka and the Hearth Division accepted findings in a report commissioned from Gannon Emergency Options. When Gannon’s authentic report went to the Hearth Division, its legal professionals listed line after line of arguments and disagreements, largely over semantics.
For example, the response introduced up a problem with the phrase “dysfunctional” when Gannon wrote,
“The division is dysfunctional in lots of key areas and wishes pressing operational and administrative reform to enhance each member security and office tradition.”
“I’m actually disenchanted in the best way they dealt with it,” mentioned Austin’s mom, Gayle. “I’d’ve thought they’d have taken it and embraced it and mentioned, ‘You understand what, we do must make some modifications.’”
Gannon included a abstract of main points at AFD, itemizing:
- A historical past of insufficient security, well being, and wellness packages
- Younger Division
- Incomplete Organizational Construction
- Lack of Strategic Planning
- Lack of Accountability
“The truth that they discovered quite a bit mistaken is an efficient factor and offers them the data they should make the modifications they should make,” added Gayle Duran.
The corporate additionally made 5 key suggestions, together with growing security coaching and getting extra funding for well being and security enhancements.
“Make no mistake, I’m the Chief and the buck stops right here,” Chief Sean J. Wylam instructed the Metropolis Council after a presentation on the Gannon report and proposed modifications – a presentation which the Council described as “disappointing” and “lackluster.”
Gannon additionally really helpful appointing a Change Supervisor, which the Chief proposed dealing with himself. The Council shot that concept down.
“You may’t be all the pieces, and anyone must be in right here to inform you that you simply’re mistaken,” mentioned Councilman Nick Nesta.
The Hearth Division has made some modifications. It employed 18 extra firefighters and two assistant chiefs, however there’s nonetheless a looming query for Mike Duran, Austin’s father.
“There’s a downside with this division,” he mentioned. “Gannon Emergency Options had been capable of finding these points. Now, we now have to repair them, and we don’t have the arrogance within the Hearth Chief to do it.”
On the final Council assembly, 85% of Apopka’s firefighters joined a vote of no confidence within the Chief, asking him to step down.
“I feel what everyone needs is simply anyone to say, ‘Dammit, I took accountability, we’re going to get these items mounted,’” mentioned Councilman Kyle Becker.
These previous eight months, the Duran household was in a position to flip their unhappiness and anger into motion, demanding enhancements at AFD. When these modifications do lastly occur, Gayle Duran says,
“We are able to sit again and grieve and do all of the issues we’re speculated to do – as a standard household would do.”
Apopka’s Hearth Chief says he’ll be sending a brand new Strategic Plan on April third, then holding an exterior stakeholder assembly.