5 PM RIBBON CUTTING….TODAY….FEB. 2, 2009……..NEW PUBLIC SAFETY COMPLEX….(formerly the Villa Orleans Hotel)…
It will house the BSO POLICE/AMR /LBTS-VFD…
Public Welcome….
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SENTINEL….Feb 1,2009
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/slf-bn-0201carfire,0,770637.story
The New Deputy Chief…Vice Mayor McIntee says he is the most experienced Firefighter in the LBTS-VFD…what experience does he have?..
He states in this in his letter to the Ethics Commission …he says he has over 45 years of experience…
Letter to Ethics Commission 12/8/08…
‘Dear Mr. Claypool,
I would like the Ethics opinion of this writer holding the position of Deputy Chief of the Lauderdale By The Sea Volunteer Fire Department.
I would like you to consider the following information before you render a Ethics decision.
A. The Lauderdale By The Sea Fire Department is the sole provider of Fire protection in the town of Lauderdale By The Sea.
B. This writer receives absolutely no compensation for service provided to the Volunteer fire department and if in the position of Deputy Chief I would still receive zero compensation from this department.
C. The LBTS VFD is a Florida corporation with corporate officers and company business officers. The Deputy Chief does not sit or act in any of these capacities under the corporate by-laws.
D. The Deputy Chief duties supervise and direct fire operations at active scenes and makes sure all training demands are met by the department members. The Deputy Chief has nothing to do with Corporate decisions or company policies, or spending funds of the department. It should be clear that the Deputy chief position is a line officer position only dealing with firefighting activities.
E. I am the most experienced fire fighter in the department and have over 45 years of experience.
Thank you for your time and consideration. Respectfully, Vice Mayor Jerome S McIntee’
On the Town website he states his experience…
From the Town Website…Commissioners…
‘Vice Mayor McIntee’s public life began with an exceptional career in the Buffalo Police Department. He started as a young patrolman walking the beat and was soon promoted to the Plain Clothes Division, where his outstanding performance and abilities allowed him to serve in numerous capacities.
As a certified expert and seasoned investigator in arson and fire investigation, McIntee was assigned as the Chief of the Arson Task Force at the Erie County District Attorney’s Office. Part of his duties was to coordinate relationships between the fire and police departments, forming close-working ties between both professions.
Promotion to Detective Sergeant gave Vice Mayor McIntee the opportunity to command the Bomb and Arson Squad as the department’s Bomb Disposal expert. Eventually a promotion came to lieutenant and Commissioner McIntee became the first Commander of the Commissioner’s Confidential Squad, working and reporting solely to the Police Commissioner. In one 14-month period, he arrested four separate armed bank hold-up perpetrators. This record still stands intact today. McIntee retired as a dedicated public servant and one of the City of Buffalo’s most decorated police officers in the department’s history.
After his retirement Vice MayorMcIntee became President of International Fire Investigations, which eventually evolved into International Field Investigations, Inc. His professional talents were so varied he was in demand throughout the East Coast and Canada to perform his investigative skills.’
From the State of Florida …..Fire Fighting Certification….provided in Sept. from the VFD…
Deputy Chief Jerome S McIntee….Firefighter I…Certification number 127669 received 11/28/05
As we cut the ribbon today…at the new Public Safety Complex…besides all the bad behavior…the ignoring of LBTS-VFD Bylaws…SOPs……the question remains…exactly what experience fighting fires do the Chief and Deputy Chief have if faced with a fire similar to the one that occurred in Lauderhill or larger?….
Chief Robert Perkins…..Firefighter I…Certification number 128859….received 2/1/2006
There are “rumblings” from inside and outside the department…about this issue…along with a growing dissatisfaction with the Chief and Deputy Chief…and who exactly is running the department…making acquisitions…..concern with the public’s safety…should something “big” happen…..Many say it’s deja vu…. the LBTS-VFD of the past pre- termination…due to the”new “Deputy Chief who was the “old” Deputy Chief at that time…….and the “catalyst” for it’s demise….
On the one hand we are told…we don’t have fires…on the other we are told BSO was negligent in doing annual fire inspections…and it is expected numerous fire violations…with a “situation” waiting to happen is the result…of the BSO turning a blind eye…according to the Administration and the VFD…
Well which is it?….
Will we be covered as we were promised with the return of a “new” LBTS-VFD beyond reproach…on par with the professionals?…Inquiring minds want to know…throughout this town..supporters…non- supporters and those still on the fence….
There is a “glaring” difference between the present LBTS-VFD and that of the LBTS-BSO Police and LBTS-AMR in conduct…procedures….reports…and in the court of public opinion on public safety in our town….
The Town Manager is not doing as she promised the residents…the taxpayers……by being the sole oversight… concerning numerous blatant acts of that have been brought to her attention….or knowing what is happening in the department…hiding behind “they are private contractors” as her excuse…
Asked by readers what this writer is looking for…….some definitive answers to the experience questions……proper procedures to be followed…public requests and open books as required by law……Town Manager oversight…professional behavior…..As of right now….we “know” from the last 3 months…any firefighters with more “real firefighting” experience are shown the exit door….so perhaps we need to seriously look at the possibility of enacting the Plantation model…of a professional Chief and Deputy Chief leaving residents satisfied with who is running the department and what their qualifications are…. secure in the knowledge they will be held accountable to the Administration…with no “Paling” around…as seems to be the status quo….The Manager does have the authority to employ such a model……..
more to come………
Tags: Local Politics, Scoops, VFD
