Broward commissioners voted Tuesday to take control of the county’s fire rescue department—and away from the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO).
The county has had a fire rescue contract with the sheriff’s office since 2003. The plan is to let the current agreement with BSO expire in September 2028.
Under the change, roughly 900 fire rescue employees would become county employees.
The county would also be responsible for fulfilling fire rescue service contracts BSO has with multiple cities, including Dania Beach, Cooper City and Weston.
In a statement, Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony said:
“For more than two decades, Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue has responded to call after call, providing lifesaving emergency services to residents and visitors across Broward County. Today’s decision by the Broward County Commission not to renew its contract with Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue is deeply disappointing, a betrayal of the public’s trust and a disservice to the men and women who have dedicated their careers to protecting this community. It is particularly troubling that the same Commission that has refused to provide our first responders with the compensation they deserve is now prioritizing control over a proven public safety system that has served this community since 2003. Under BSO’s leadership, this partnership has saved countless lives and advanced fire rescue services through critical innovations, including whole blood transfusions, the SWAT Medic program and life-safety education. Public safety is not about control. What matters is the skilled, timely and coordinated response of highly trained public safety professionals, like the men and women of Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue.”
