Apr 29, 2015 5 min read

Quorum qualifications should be easier for the Fort Myers Beach Fire District Board of Fire Commissioners now that two residents have been added to its five-man board.

John Pohland and Larry Wood were selected from a pool of five highly regarded candidates (former commissioner David Brower, Community Emergency Resources Team Leader Ed Milde and former Dayton (Ohio) Fire Department fire chief Ron Fleming were the others) to fill the remaining terms of two open seats on the Beach Fire Board last week at a regular monthly meeting. The additions will allow commissioners some leeway since the board was down to three commissioners (Chairman Carol Morris, Vice Chair Ted Schindler and Bob Raymond) who needed to attend every meeting to qualify as a quorum.

“This was not an easy choice,” said Schindler, about the candidates.

Pohland, who attended many fire board meetings, had previously run for a fire board seat in a past election but failed. He is a member of CERT (group leader) and Air Intrusion Relief along with being the Town’s Transportation Mitigation advisor. He has 23 years experience as president of Pohland Enterprises, Inc., where duties included marketing, sales, customer service, human resources and negotiating contracts. He fills seat #2.

“I want to represent the taxpayers. The fire commissioners’ job is to see to it to not micromanage, but to make the basis of a well-working machine,” said Pohland. “I want to be part of this.”

Wood, who has been the principal of Beach Elementary School for nine years, has 32 years in school administration and has acted as a liaison to all of the area’s first responders. He was touted for his management skills and his fine ability to work with school unions by Raymond, who nominated him. He fills seat #4.

“I don’t like to focus on problems. Instead, I like to focus on solutions,” he said. “I also bring a fresh outlook. I really want to support the community.”

The vacancies occurred when former Commissioner John Scanlon tendered his resignation due to issues related to business and personal responsibilities and long-time former Commissioner Betty Goodacre tendered her resignation due to health reasons after being inactive on medical leave.

Both Pohland and Wood took the Oath of Office immediately after being nominated and selected. They took part in the remainder of the meeting last Tuesday.

Fire Board looks to update fire chief job description

The Board of Fire Commissioners are expected to vote on proposed changes to a position description for the FMB Fire Control District fire chief at its workshop meeting on May 5, at 10 a.m. The action is deemed necessary prior to Fire Chief White’s current contract term ending on Sept. 30, 2015.

At last week’s meeting, Commissioner Morris stated four options: 1) come Oct. 1, assistant chief Tom May becomes fire chief; 2) board opens up position for applications; 3) keep Chief White without a contract; 4) keep Chief White with new contract.

White has been chief of the FMB Fire Control District for three years. His current contract term is Oct. 1, 2012 through Sept. 30, 2015. Beach Fire records state his annual salary was $120,000 at his signing on Oct. 1, 2012, and that he received a three percent increase on Oct. 1, 2014.

White became acting chief when former Beach Fire Chief Mike Becker was dismissed from his position. White was assistant fire chief at the time.

“Before the board could come out with an open announcement (for the fire chief position), three members of the board voted to move the assistant chief into the chief position,” said Morris. “There were two of us that did not agree with the process that took place. I can tell you to this day, there are a lot of fire fighters that are very upset because we didn’t go out with an open announcement and let everyone fairly apply.”

The Board chair wants to make sure commissioners are aware of the timeframe for the whole process of hiring a potential chief. After solidifying a fire chief job description, it was stated that 30 to 60 days are needed for applicants to submit applications. Then there is a review process and an interview process prior to selection.

“The position should be based on educational experience,” said Morris.

Excused vs. unexcused absences

The Board of Fire Commissioners are hoping to tighten certain language to differentiate between excused absences and unexcused absences. As it stands, a commissioner cannot miss three consecutive unexcused meetings if he/she wishes to remain on the board.

Discussion involved board member illnesses, family emergencies, unforeseen circumstances and the fact that too many excused absences could eventually turn to unexcused absences.

Commissioners also debated alternate methods of communication if a commissioner was not able to make a meeting. It was said that the board may authorize electronic communication with a board member that had previously scheduled to be off island if anything specific was added to a meeting agenda or a special meeting needed to be called in his/her absence.

Board members can still use discretion in any case. A resolution to create policy on that matter was unanimously approved.

Former fire chief legal settlement approved

The Board of Fire Commissioners approved a legal settlement regarding former fire chief Mike Becker.

Details of the settlement were not disclosed and could not be until the settlement was official. What is known is that the settlement costs will be covered by insurance company funds and that it concludes open issues in the case. Becker is also prohibited to discuss the settlement until all signatures are in place. Public records will be available once the settlement is fully resolved.

“Except for the time we spent for (Beach Fire) Attorney (Richard) Pringle, all of our bills have been covered by our insurance policy, not out of the District funds,” said Morris.