FLAGLER BEACH, Fla. – Flagler Beach is facing a fire department crisis after half its fire department resigned and the fire chief was fired — all within a two-week span — leaving residents and city officials scrambling for answers.
Five firefighters remain in a department that is supposed to have 12 staff members. The departures came after the resigning firefighters submitted resignation letters and the remaining firefighters voted no confidence in Chief Stephen Cox, citing what they described as a “consistent pattern of behavior” that created a hostile work environment. City Manager Dale Martin fired Cox Monday.
“The message was consistent across the board for all of them, and that’s why I felt that if I didn’t take this action, I ran the serious risk that I would lose the remaining five firefighters,” Martin said.
The small coastal city is home to more than 5,000 residents and draws thousands of visitors — all of whom rely on the now-depleted department for emergency response.
“I’m concerned about response times a bit. I’m hoping that gets cleared up,” said resident David Carpenter.
Some residents pointed to the broader environment as reason for added urgency.
“The fires are out of control around here — we’ve been in an 18-month drought,” said resident Michelle.
Former city Commissioner Ken Bryan, who also lives in Flagler Beach, feels the staffing shortfall will be difficult to overcome quickly.
“Half the department is gone. It’s yet to be seen what will happen because it’s very hard to recruit,” Bryan said.
Martin said the Flagler County Fire Department is providing one firefighter per day and has agreed to assist with emergency response as needed in the interim.
“We are only able to continue with the assistance of Flagler County at this point in time,” Martin said.
Martin added that two of the firefighters who resigned have agreed to return temporarily for 45 days — one to fill the interim fire chief role and another to fill a separate position — while the city conducts a search for a permanent chief. The city is also actively advertising to fill the remaining open positions.