By Kat Leslie
Florida, NY – February 12, 2024. In a reflection of the recent controversies rattling the Florida Village Board with scandals, the Florida Fire District finds itself embroiled in a leadership crisis as well, after the Fire Commissioners Board, for the second time, refused to recognize the results of an election for the position of the Fire Chief.
The dispute centers around Chief Thomas Andryshak, a highly qualified candidate with numerous certifications and strong support from active firefighters, specifically those qualified for interior rescue.
The contentious saga began in December when Chief Andryshak faced a write-in candidacy from Bill Babcock. Despite winning the election, the Board of Fire Commissioners rejected the results, citing undisclosed reasons, and appointed Babcock as Duty Chief, pending a re-election. This decision has ignited a firestorm of discontent within the Florida Fire Department. Several active firefighters and officers have resigned in protest following Board refusal to recognise Andryshak as a Chief.
In a surprising turn of events, the Special Election saw Andryshak once again emerge victorious, garnering strong support from active firefighters due to his qualifications and overwhelming popularity within the department.
Chairman of the Board of the Fire Commissioners, Michael Coleman, however did not hide his frustration during the meeting, questioning why Andryshak’s name was back on the ballot. Despite being instructed not to include Chief Andryshak’s name on the ballot, firefighters overwhelmingly wrote him in during the Special Election, securing another clear victory (14-12).
Despite winning both General and a subsequent Special Election, the Board has refused to recognize his victory, citing undisclosed reasons, once again. Disregarding the majority vote for Chief Andryshak, the Board’s Chairman Coleman swiftly motioned to appoint Bill Babcock as the newly appointed Chief. The five men, all-in-favor vote was carried on, raising eyebrows among the Fire Department personnel and the attending public.
The decision sparked a wave of discontent within the Fire Department, with members expressing their frustration during the meeting’s public comments. Volunteer firefighters argued that the Board’s decisions lacked transparency and were made without proper consideration for the preferences of the actively serving members.
“It’s us who put our lives on the line every day, and we want him as our Chief. We deserve a leader we trust and respect,” said one of the present firefighters, Lieutenant Jake Robinson. “There’s been no explanation from the Board, no communication, and no transparency in their decisions.”
“Chief Andryshak has proven himself, and the Board’s refusal to accept the election results is an insult to the democratic process and our department,” stated another firefighter addressing the Board.
Another speaker, army veteran and volunteer, Jason Hellnan expressed concern about the potential impact on the department’s morale and operations. “The safety of our community depends on a well-functioning fire department,” he said.The actions of The Board has already led to the resignation of three active firefighters in protest, with six more reportedly considering the same course of action. That’s nine out of fourteen active firefighters qualified for interior rescue as of the end of 2023 within the department. “This crisis needs to be resolved quickly and transparently,” concluded Hellman, proposing another meeting at The Board’s earliest convenience.
However, it remains unclear if the Board will budge, based on interaction and remarks by Commissioners Michael Coleman and Joseph Kata. Attempts to resolve the standoff through executive sessions have proven challenging, with the 2-nd Assistant Chief Ashley Dagele along with other Fire Department officers and officials and even the village mayor, all engaging in private and collective efforts to address the Board. However, the Board has remained silent on their reasons for rejecting the election results, leaving the future of the Florida Fire Department in doubt. Efforts to reach a consensus through an open dialog, or closed private discussions during the meeting remained unsuccessful despite extending into the late hours.
A glimmer of hope finally emerged with the Board’s agreement to meet with the firefighters on February 22nd. However, many remain skeptical, calling for transparency and accountability from the Board. Until then, the Florida Fire Department remains in a state of uncertainty, with the safety of our community potentially hanging in the balance, as the escalating situation raises serious concerns about the stability and functionality of the Florida Fire Department.
Stephen Kitar contributed to this report.
