Charlotte County creates Department of Public Safety to consolidate fire and EMS oversight

The Charlotte County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved an ordinance March 13 establishing a Department of Public Safety to coordinate fire, emergency medical services and disaster response across the county.

County Administrator Daniel N. Witt presented the ordinance, which charges the new department with overseeing fire and EMS services, administering local, state and federal emergency-response programs, managing the 911 call center and P25 communications system, and making annual staffing and capital recommendations to the board. The ordinance authorizes the County Administrator to appoint a Director of Public Safety who will be responsible to both the County Administrator and the Sheriff for department duties.

The ordinance lists Charlotte County's volunteer fire companies and the Charlotte County Volunteer Rescue Squad as integral parts of the county's safety program and requires coordination with volunteer chiefs. It establishes two advisory groups'a Public Safety Committee (including county officials and rotating board members) and a Fire-EMS Advisory Committee (FEMSAC) containing volunteer chiefs, county staff and rotating citizen members'to advise the director and the board.

The ordinance also includes provisions for criminal and driving-record reviews for employment and volunteer status, outlines disciplinary and compliance authority for the director, and directs the director to develop standard operating guidelines for revocation of privileges where necessary. The board recorded a roll-call vote of Aye from all members present.

County staff said the ordinance had been reviewed by county fire departments prior to the vote. Implementation tasks noted in the meeting minutes include establishment of the director position, coordination with volunteer chiefs on policies and reporting back to the board with budget and capital recommendations.