Flagler Beach — At the Aug. 13 budget workshop, Fire Chief and staff reported that the front bay doors at the city’s fire station are in “critical” condition and recommended prompt replacement, saying a failed door could prevent apparatus from responding to emergencies.

A third‑party engineering assessment provided to staff identified critical issues with front bay door frames, bearings and structural elements, and staff recounted a recent incident in which a main door went out of service during an emergency call. The chief said a technician warned that door springs were dangerous and that replacement should be prioritized because malfunctioning doors can prevent trucks from leaving the station.

Staff told commissioners that replacement of the front bay doors will cost about $70,000 and that the back doors could be repaired later; the city manager said she would work with the chief to get quotes and would consider declaring an emergency to speed procurement. If the work cannot be scheduled before the end of the fiscal year, staff said the project will be added to next year’s capital plan.

Commissioners asked whether back doors could be repaired to extend life; the chief and staff said the front doors are worst due to exposure to coastal weather and that a contractor assessing the front doors will be asked to evaluate repairability of the rear doors.

Staff will return with contractor quotes and a recommended procurement path; commissioners expressed support for prioritizing public‑safety infrastructure.