Fort Myers Beach fire chief, commissioner receive state district certifications
Fort Myers Beach Fire District Chief Matt Love and District Commissioner Ron Fleming are the first of their rank to achieve state certifications as district manager and district official.
The two men attended a week-long conference in Tallahassee this month to wrap up their qualifications to receive the certification from the Florida Association of Special Districts.
“You meet a lot of other fire chiefs, but also managers and officials of other districts,” Fleming said.
The association is made up of more than just fire districts; it’s attended by the more than 1,000 special districts in the state, such as mosquito control, water district, healthcare districts, and more.
As part of the certification, Love has to complete a project for his district within six months. He created a commissioners policy manual. It’s only 20 pages, but he said it’s already gone through “thousands” of revisions.
The certification is a means of continuing education for Fleming and Love, who are the first commissioner and chief to get the training.
“It was beneficial for me, being from out of state,” Love said. “It acquainted me with other special districts.”
There are between 30 and 60 state statutes that govern how special districts operate. It’s helpful for the organization to have one or more people who have the training to understand how a special district is supposed to be run.
Love is planning to cycle the senior staff through the same program to get more people on the team with the training. Similar certifications help with the “continuity of government,” he said, meaning it helps when other people have the same knowledge standards.
“This sets the bar high,” Love said.
These continuing education opportunities are incorporated into the district’s budget. Love said his district is very progressive in availing its employees to more education.
Fleming hopes the rest of the fire district commissioners might choose to take the opportunity, as well.
“I learned a lot,” Fleming said. “I think all commissioners should have it, or almost have it, within two years of being elected.”