The Parkland City Commission has voted against inking a fresh five-year contract with Coral Springs for fire and emergency services. The current contract, which had earned a 96 percent satisfaction rating from city residents, will expire Sept. 30, 2010.
The decision, which goes against the recommendation from Parkland’s fire consultant that a new contract with Coral Springs was the best short term option for the city, leaves the future of 33 Coral Springs firefighters in peril. Parkland will now explore other options such as contracting with Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) or the Margate fire department.
The decision was taken in the presence of the firefighters whose jobs were on the line and their family members. Immediately after the meeting, Coral Springs Fire Chief Mark Curran took the despondent firefighters aside for an impromptu pep talk even as Parkland Commissioner Jared Moskowitz, who was in favor of a new contract with Coral Springs, said he would insist that the next service provider hires the firefighters now servicing the city.
Commissioner Mark Weissman’s motion was seconded by Deputy Vice Mayor Dave Rosenof and Vice Mayor Jay Smith. The three officials cited concerns with the termination clause in the proposed contract, audit provisions and the price of the contract. Mayor Michael Udine, who had all along been a vocal supporter of a new contract with Coral Springs, said the commission had “made a huge mistake.”
“We should have stayed with Coral Springs,” Udine said after the meeting. “But I am only one vote out there. The system is working; the residents are happy with the services. We are not going to get the same level of service if we go with BSO. It’s a huge mistake. ”
Curran said he was disappointed and surprised by the commission’s decision. “We gave them what they asked for; apparently, that wasn’t enough. The system we had set up benefited both cities. It was like a perfect match. We will now focus on finding these 33 great firefighters jobs.”
Comments (15)
This is a wise choice by the Parkland City Commission. BSO can provide a much better service than Coral Springs can. The experience level of CSFD is minimal with it's leadership lacking real experience. These people running the CSFD are the same people that were volunteers only a few years ago. They do not have the experience of working in a real fire department. Once again I applaud the commission on getting rid of the inexperienced children and opting for a real professional service.
Posted by Chris Calma | January 23, 2010 4:15 PM
Posted on January 23, 2010 16:15
The residents of cities receiving services from BSO should be canvassed to see how they like their level of services. They should also check with the cities that have contracts with BSO. They could ask how many more millions are you paying per year than when you first signed with BSO, And would you do it again?
Posted by bjs | January 23, 2010 8:40 PM
Posted on January 23, 2010 20:40
Chris Calma where did you get your information that Coral Springs Firefighters are inexperienced and are "children?" Why would you write something that is a blatent lie. Springs might be a newer fire department in terms of career service but that should in no way reflect on the experience of its personel. No offense to BSO,they are a good department, but Coral Springs seems to be much better equiped to handle Parkland. I'm not a Springs firefighter so i have no bias here. The commissioners are making a HUGE mistake and Parkland residents should be upset.
Posted by Keith Costa | January 23, 2010 9:50 PM
Posted on January 23, 2010 21:50
I don't know the reasoning for that kinda vote. It looks some people just don't have agrip on reality. BSO is a great department but they will not and I mean WILL NOT be cheap compared to CFSD. If you want it done cheap they would need to be volunteer fire and have private ambulances take over. LETS SEE THAT 96 % rate after that and wait till the next bad dry season or hurricane and how effective volunteer's are. thank god I live in C.S. and not parkland at least i'll be able to depend on my services.
Posted by btotheb | January 23, 2010 10:10 PM
Posted on January 23, 2010 22:10
The commisoners are morons to think they will be able to replace CFD with better service, CSFD is one of the best trained , most professional departments in Florida, The academy has been voted tops in the state and has boasted 100% pass rate for the state test many times over. BSO who has some good people could not ever come in cheaper and provide any where the type of service CSFD has and will hopefully continue to in the future..what has to go is the 3 stooges who are being I suspect paid off under the table..
Posted by PBC FOOL | January 24, 2010 4:24 PM
Posted on January 24, 2010 16:24
Moron? Stoge? Man - my wife doesn't even call me those names! If you'd like, please call the city and make an appointment during my office hours on Friday and I will be happy to explain my decision in detail. And I assure you it has nothing to do with a payoff!
Posted by Dave Rosenof | January 25, 2010 8:05 AM
Posted on January 25, 2010 08:05
Well obviously Parkland was sick of Mike Levinson and his condescending attitude. The Parkland commission voted on a proposal and wanted it presented to the Coral Springs Commission, Levinson said no, he wanted more. The jobs of those Firefighters are on his head. Maybe now the Mayor and commission will look into how Mike actually does business.
As far as best trained and most professional department, yeah right. They certainly know how to play the game,will give them that.
Posted by paul | January 25, 2010 8:50 AM
Posted on January 25, 2010 08:50
The Mayor has it right, and as usual, Parkland got it wrong.
They had one of the worst police departments in the COUNTRY before BSO took over, but their egos made them stick with their own department in spite of the facts.
And their egos are causing them to do this.
Posted by Ira | January 25, 2010 9:13 AM
Posted on January 25, 2010 09:13
Mr. Rosenof, Stoge is spelt Stooge! Pay attention to detail!
Posted by Resident | January 26, 2010 11:48 AM
Posted on January 26, 2010 11:48
Parkland has a history of petty politics. Plus, stupid green firetrucks.
Posted by Ira | January 28, 2010 11:53 AM
Posted on January 28, 2010 11:53
Broward Fire Rescue is the answer. A county wide fire department and taxing district. Better service at a better price :-)
Posted by vff2000 | January 28, 2010 10:02 PM
Posted on January 28, 2010 22:02
Thank you "Resident." Bad speller - maybe - "StOOge" - never!
Posted by Dave Rosenof | February 1, 2010 4:15 PM
Posted on February 1, 2010 16:15
Parkland did not like the costs when they had their own fire and police services and they do not like it when they have to buy the services. Put a fence around them and charge them to leave. What a loser city!
Posted by another day in paradise | February 2, 2010 12:53 AM
Posted on February 2, 2010 00:53
Well it seems that we have our selves a disgruntled ex-volunteer firefighter for Coral Springs who thinks that he has the audacity to taint the face of a professional fire dept. such as the Coral Springs Fire Dept. Calma from your blog you state that Coral Springs Fire hasn't had enough experience and on top of that the organization as a whole are a bunch of children. A comment as bold as this one must be coming from a legend, a one man show on the fireground, a medical director if you will; however, it's not. The comment is coming from a faceless coward by the name of Calma, who never made the cut when the Dept. went fully paid and was relieved of duty. It is reassuring to know that the childish comment that you made will never, even slightly, dent an oraganization as powerful and professional as the Coral Springs Fire Department.
Posted by LM Perez | February 6, 2010 8:17 PM
Posted on February 6, 2010 20:17
You guys are all retarded. Stop fighting the county fire department. It's like the old man fighting the rail road. Coral springs are a bunch of wanna be new York firemen. BSO are a cheap version of a real county fire department. SO WHAT?!?!?! Fact is...no departments in broward are "real firemen" dude who cares. I want my department to go county. Let's be like dade an palm beach. Stop fighting over our petty city kingdoms...and run some calls.
I swear some people are so dumb
Posted by danny | October 28, 2010 12:44 AM
Posted on October 28, 2010 00:44