Margate Commission Considers Contracting with BSO for Fire Rescue Protection, Sparking Debate

by David Volz November 28, 2024

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Margate Commission to Consider 3 Firefighters to a Truck

Margate-Coconut Creek Fire Rescue {Aiden Palmer}

The Margate Commission might consider employing the Broward Sheriff’s Office for fire rescue services, as the city currently maintains its own fire department.

During the November 20 meeting, Commissioner Tommy Ruzzano discussed contracting with the BSO.

The city plans to negotiate a contract with its fire department in 2025. Ruzzano asked BSO for information on the cost of providing complete fire protection to Margate.

He noted that fire departments are facing challenges in attracting enough qualified candidates to join the service, and there has been a decline in applications to the Margate Fire Department. He felt that the existing circumstances could be improved for long-term sustainability.

Vice Mayor Antonio Arserio agreed and said a regional approach to fire rescue might be the best option and believed BSO could bring more equipment and personnel to major incidents and provide more robust coverage, adding that even if the BSO costs more, a regional agency could offer the city more.

Brian Palmer, the union representative for the Margate Fire Department, said the firefighters are 100 percent in favor of going with BSO and want to be part of a regional agency.

Mayor Arlene Schwartz said she is against going with BSO and believes the city is best served by its own fire department.

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David Volz

David Volz has worked as a writer in South Florida for 35 years. He has written for the Sun-Sentinel, Hollywood Gazette, School Transportation News, South Dade News Leaders, Observer among others. He has an MA in Communications from Florida Atlantic University and a BA in Communications from Valparaiso University. Volz teaches Communications at Miami Dade College and Palm Beach State College. He lives in Coral Springs and enjoys running and participating in 5Ks and half-marathons.