Boynton Beach Fire Chief updates on Fire Station 3 and new training initiatives

The Boynton Beach City Commission meeting on April 15, 2025, focused on significant updates regarding Fire Station Number 3 and the overall state of the Boynton Beach Fire Department. Commissioner Kelly initiated the discussion, emphasizing the need for improvements to aging fire facilities, particularly Fire Station 3, which is projected to cost around $10 million. Chief Breuder provided an update on the progress, stating that a working group had been established to gather input from firefighters on the design of the new station. The city aims to begin the design-build process within 90 days, with an estimated completion time of 18 to 20 months.

In addition to Fire Station 3, Chief Breuder highlighted other ongoing projects funded by an increase in the fire assessment fee. These include a new station alerting system expected to reduce response times significantly, a logistics building to alleviate pressure on the current fleet facility, and the upcoming Fire Station Number 6 at Harvey Oyer Park, which is set to enhance marine safety operations.

The Chief also reported on the department's advancements in technology and emergency medical services, noting that Boynton Beach Fire Rescue has achieved impressive response times of 4 minutes and 24 seconds, well below the national average. The department is also focusing on mental health support for first responders and has implemented innovative health programs.

Following the fire department updates, the commission discussed potential changes to campaign filing fees and sign bond fees, with suggestions to increase the current $25 filing fee to $125 and the sign bond fee to $500, aligning with practices in neighboring cities. The discussion highlighted the need for a more structured approach to campaign regulations.

Lastly, the commission considered establishing a Charter Review Committee to evaluate and update the city charter, which has not been formally reviewed in years. This initiative aims to ensure that the charter reflects current needs and practices, with a proposal for a committee to be formed to facilitate this process.

The meeting concluded with a consensus on the importance of addressing code enforcement issues and the need for community engagement in identifying outdated ordinances. The commission plans to set a date for a workshop to further discuss these matters.