Margate Commission to Consider Merging Fire Department with Broward Sheriff’s Office

by David Volz August 8, 2025

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Margate Fire Department Set to Acquire State-of-the-Art Rescue Truck

New Margate Fire Truck. {courtesy Chief Roberto Lorenzo}

Should Margate merge its fire department and contract with the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) or remain a standalone department as the Margate Fire Department (MFD)?

The city’s leadership will discuss this topic at a workshop on Tuesday, August 12, at 11:00 a.m. in the City Commission Chambers at 5790 Margate Boulevard.

On August 6, City Manager Cale Curtis sent an interoffice memorandum to the mayor and commission members describing the current situation and benefits of a merger with BSO.

Curtis stated that Margate is experiencing redevelopment and growth, including multifamily residential and commercial development, which places additional pressure on public safety.

Some of the challenges facing MFD include recruiting and retaining qualified firefighter-paramedics due to competitive labor markets and generational shifts in the workforce. Costs are increasing for equipment, training, and compliance. With higher population density, emergency response needs will be more complex and require more resources, according to Curtis.

Some of the benefits of a merger include a seamless transition. Whether Margate remains independent or joins BSO, the annual operating cost will remain the same, at $22.5 million. The merger is about value, not cost-cutting, according to Curtis.

The fire union leadership has endorsed the merger because BSO offers higher, better career pathways, broader training resources and improved personnel support. A larger department reduces burnout and provides access to specialized support roles that smaller departments can’t afford. BSO’s regional scale ensures redundancy and surge capacity during hurricanes and large-scale emergencies. BSO can backfill stations during high-volume call events, according to Curtis.

A merger with BSO would ensure the city remains competitive in a complex service environment without needing to catch up through costly investments later. It would eliminate the need to recruit, hire, train, and manage personnel internally. BSO would assume all payroll responsibilities, including taxes, benefits, and overtime. A fixed contract would simplify budgeting and reduce financial uncertainty, according to Curtis.

Fire departments are competing for qualified candidates. At least 23 MFD members are nearing the end of their careers, and others are seeking other opportunities. The applicant pool of qualified firefighters is small, and departments are offering large salary and benefit packages, according to Curtis.

A firefighter-paramedic in Margate earns $104,607 versus $116,303 with BSO or $110,064 with Coral Springs. A driver engineer in Margate earns $112,453 versus $122,118 with BSO or $115,366 with Coral Springs. A lieutenant with Margate earns $116,637 versus $134,635 with BSO or $120,090 with Coral Springs, according to a study presented by Curtis.

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Author Profile

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.