North Walton Fire Public Hearing

These are the individuals that participated on the Committee

Facilitated Discussion of the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats
March 14, 2017

Attendees:
 Chief Russell Beaty – Walton County Sheriff’s Office
 Mike Bellemy – Tallahassee Fire Department (Union Representative)
 Milessia Brown -Walton County Fire Rescue
 Javier Canut – Walton County Fire Rescue (Union President)
 Captain Bobby Collins - Walton County Fire Rescue
 Chief Ryan Crawford – South Walton Fire Department
 Frank Day - Citizen representative
 Mike Flynt - Citizen representative
 Bob Hudson – Citizen representative
 Dominick Maestre – Walton County Fire Rescue (Union Vice-President)
 Chief Bobby Martin – Walton County Fire Rescue
 Battalion Chief Bill May - Walton County Fire Rescue
 Battalion Chief James McMillian - Walton County Fire Rescue
 Bonnie McQuiston - Citizen representative
 Major Joe Preston – Walton County Sheriff’s Office
 Captain Audie Rowell – Walton County Sheriff’s Office
 Chief Rick Talbert – South Walton Fire Department
 Melissa Thomason – Chief Financial Officer for Walton County Board of County Commissioners
 Captain Tim Turner - Walton County Fire Rescue

These are the individuals that participated on the Committee

Facilitated Discussion of the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats
March 14, 2017

Attendees:
 Chief Russell Beaty – Walton County Sheriff’s Office
 Mike Bellemy – Tallahassee Fire Department (Union Representative)
 Milessia Brown -Walton County Fire Rescue
 Javier Canut – Walton County Fire Rescue (Union President)
 Captain Bobby Collins - Walton County Fire Rescue
 Chief Ryan Crawford – South Walton Fire Department
 Frank Day - Citizen representative
 Mike Flynt - Citizen representative
 Bob Hudson – Citizen representative
 Dominick Maestre – Walton County Fire Rescue (Union Vice-President)
 Chief Bobby Martin – Walton County Fire Rescue
 Battalion Chief Bill May - Walton County Fire Rescue
 Battalion Chief James McMillian - Walton County Fire Rescue
 Bonnie McQuiston - Citizen representative
 Major Joe Preston – Walton County Sheriff’s Office
 Captain Audie Rowell – Walton County Sheriff’s Office
 Chief Rick Talbert – South Walton Fire Department
 Melissa Thomason – Chief Financial Officer for Walton County Board of County Commissioners
 Captain Tim Turner - Walton County Fire Rescue

Bob,
Was this a form/ survey that was filled out anonymously? How many, if it was a survey, were filled out and returned?

More specifically Bob Hudson, how many fire/ems said

they had a strong creative leader??

Most fire chiefs earn their position by working their way through the ranks of the department. The chief complaint I've heard repeatedly is that Bobby Martin had no experience in fire/ems before being given the job and has only completed the first level of fire/ems training ....yet, there are people within that department that have been there for years and completed all levels of training unable to advance.

More specifically Bob Hudson, how many fire/ems said

Most fire chiefs earn their position by working their way through the ranks of the department. The chief complaint I've heard repeatedly is that Bobby Martin had no experience in fire/ems before being given the job and has only completed the first level of fire/ems training ....yet, there are people within that department that have been there for years and completed all levels of training unable to advance.

Bobby Martin has been at least an EMS Supervisor since I started working Walton County EMS in 2000.

Bob,
Was this a form/ survey that was filled out anonymously? How many, if it was a survey, were filled out and returned?

There was a facilitator who lead the discussion. During breaks I talked to most of the NWFD personnel and they were candid and straight forward about their concerns. Staffing and equipment were at the top of their list both in the meeting and outside.

More specifically Bob Hudson, how many fire/ems said

Most fire chiefs earn their position by working their way through the ranks of the department. The chief complaint I've heard repeatedly is that Bobby Martin had no experience in fire/ems before being given the job and has only completed the first level of fire/ems training ....yet, there are people within that department that have been there for years and completed all levels of training unable to advance.

I posted the list of all who participated. You can add them up !

There was a facilitator who lead the discussion. During breaks I talked to most of the NWFD personnel and they were candid and straight forward about their concerns. Staffing and equipment were at the top of their list both in the meeting and outside.

That is interesting. Thanks for your involvement.

Bob

I must admit that I have no detailed knowledge of how to staff a fire service. I relied on Rick Talbert to help me understand those issues. I know budgets and revenues & expenses.

There was plenty of "Fire expertise" in that meeting.

Bobby Martin has been at least an EMS Supervisor since I started working Walton County EMS in 2000.

And completed 1 level of training? Wow.

Bobby Martin has been with Walton County EMS since at least 1984 or 85. He started on a truck as an EMT and has worked his way up. He has always been highly regarded as a paramedic and he would be on the short list of people I would want to pick me up in case of a health emergency. He has been with Fire Rescue since they consolidated and has always fought for his people. He and I disagreed more than once when I was at the Sheriff's Office because he protected the interests of his department and I protected the interests of mine. I have a great deal of respect for him and his professionalism.

And completed 1 level of training? Wow.

But technically speaking you were incorrect in your post, did not indicate anything else.

Bob

I must admit that I have no detailed knowledge of how to staff a fire service. I relied on Rick Talbert to help me understand those issues. I know budgets and revenues & expenses.

There was plenty of "Fire expertise" in that meeting.

I understand. Thanks

But technically speaking you were incorrect in your post, did not indicate anything else.

17 years or better with Fire/ems and completed 1 level of training. Again just WOW!