FREEPORT — The search for a new fire chief is under way more than five months after the City Council fired its former chief.
A committee comprised of local fire chiefs, Walton County Emergency Management, a Freeport City Council member and interim Fire Chief Al Ford will begin meeting this month to find the top candidates for the job.
“We just acquired the paper applications (Tuesday) from the city, and now we have to start reviewing them,” Ford said. “Once we find the top five, the city will conduct the interviews and decide on the chief.”
View a gallery taken of the department in November >>
Former Fire Chief Ben Greenslait was fired last September after it was discovered that he was not certified to be at fire scenes and he later failed an attempt to become certified.
Ford was brought in from Emergency Management to serve as interim chief until a permanent one is hired.
Ford said applications have arrived from firefighters from Bay to Escambia counties, other parts of Florida and other states.
“We’re gong to make sure that the top five (candidates) will be five great choices, all of which are Florida Firefighter II certified. We’re making sure that mistake does not happen again in Freeport.”
The new chief will step in to a different atmosphere and fire station than Ford did. He said morale has improved, an administrative organization has been set up and community relations efforts have begun.
“What a big difference there is,” Ford said. “This is their (firefighters’) home now. Professionalism has been brought into the department and we’re going to make sure it stays. That’s what they needed.”
The department also has added its first paid captain after the City Council with firefighters’ support unanimously voted for Tom Palmer. The longtime firefighter will step in to help with administrative duties until a new chief is hired.
Ford said the department also plans to add three lieutenants to create a command structure for the first time among paid employees.
“When I came on there were 22 firefighters and one captain,” Ford said. “Now, there’s structure. This department is on their way. They’re on the right path now and they’ll continue to be on it.”
Contact Daily News Staff Writer Angel McCurdy at 850-315-4432 or amccurdy@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @AngelMnwfdn.