Chief Fights Disbanding of Key Largo Fire-Rescue

Islamorada's fire chief is asking commissioners serving on the board of Key Largo's taxing district that oversees fire and ambulance services to reconsider their March 25 decision to break contractual ties with the Key Largo Fire-Rescue Department.

Chief William Wagner, leader of Islamorada's department the past 15 years, said during Monday night's board meeting of the Key Largo Fire-Rescue and Emergency Medical Services District that the Islamorada, Tavernier and Key Largo departments work well together. He said disbanding Key Largo's department would disrupt the harmony that exists among fire-rescue organizations in the Upper Keys.

Wagner said all three departments "provide good mutual aid. We have a very well balanced system." Disbanding Key Largo's department will "affect operations" in the region, he said.

Another veteran firefighter, Tommy Thompson, a retired assistant fire chief in Miami Beach, said breaking the contract with the Fire Department could have a slew of unintended consequences ranging from firefighters not being insured to the county taking over fire services and taxes going up.

"You are jumping the gun on this big time," Thompson said.

One of the Key Largo commissioners, Tony Allen, is angry that the board's attorney told him before Monday's meeting to not discuss the issue in public.

Allen said attorney Scott Black, who represents the board, told commissioners the meeting was "not the time or place to talk about it." Black said he could not discuss what he told his clients, citing attorney/client confidentiality.

Allen said Black told commissioners the issue should only be discussed during mediation sessions, which are not open to the public. The first session is scheduled for April 22.

"I said this should be discussed openly, but I was told to be quiet," Allen said.

Black's reported instructions are not sitting well with County Commissioner Sylvia Murphy, who represents Key Largo.

"I am very uncomfortable with an attorney telling an elected official to keep his mouth shut unless there is a legal reason for it," Murphy said Tuesday.

Murphy said she thought something was going on when Allen and board Chairwoman Jennifer Miller remained quiet after comments made by Wagner and Thompson. The two are outspoken in their opposition to discontinue the Fire Department's contract.

Commissioner Bob Thomas introduced the motion to sever the contract. Commissioners Marilyn Beyer and George Mirabella also voted for it. Their main criticism is Chief Sergio Garcia ignored recommendations on two independent audits, and they say he runs his department through fear and intimidation.

Garcia, who could not be reached for comment, has repeatedly denied mistreating his firefighters, and most members who talked with The Reporter/Keynoter supported their chief.

Beyer, Mirabella and Thomas want a department with a chief who is elected by the Fire Department board, which would be made up of members chosen by the commissioners. The chief is now chosen by all the Fire Department's membership.

Thomas also said the chief should be answerable to the commissioners and not in charge of training or scheduling. Thomas said he was not swayed by Wagner's comments, but he did say he was surprised. "Chief Wagner is well aware of the problems with leadership in Key Largo," Thomas said.

Copyright 2013 - The Reporter (Tavernier, Fla.)