Florida Fire Fighters Fight to Maintain Lauderdale-by-the-Sea Contract

November 21, 2006 – Public safety is at issue as the Lauderdale-by-the-Sea Town Council decides the future of its fire service. Town commissioners called a special meeting to consider whether to sever ties with the Broward Sherriff’s Office Fire Rescue – and members of Broward County, FL Local 4321.

Because Lauderdale-by-the-Sea Mayor Oliver Parker was unable to attend the meeting, a decision will require a majority of the commissioners’ votes.

One commissioner pulled back the motion to cancel the town’s contract with Local 4321 members. Instead, the Town Council considered three other proposals for changing how the town provides emergency services.

One proposal ends the town’s contract with the Sheriff's Office with a year's notice but allows commissioners the option of reversing the decision. A second proposal opposes termination of the volunteer fire fighters’ contract and a third supports the Sheriff's Office. All three votes ended in ties.

Both professional and volunteer fire fighters have said they are willing to meet and discuss the issue.

“The 25 Broward County fire fighters who serve Lauderdale-by-the-Sea have the training and the experience to keep the town’s citizens and visitors safe 24/7,” says Walt Dix, president of Local 4321.

Meanwhile, questions remain about alleged personal attacks by volunteer fire fighters against the professional fire fighters. “Our members’ personal vehicles have been vandalized, as has our local ladder-truck,” says Dix. “The Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating all incidents.”