FL Fire Departments Likely Consolidating

Nov. 22 -- Consolidation of the Niceville and Valparaiso fire departments is closer to becoming a reality than it was in September when Valparaiso Fire Chief Mark Norris was abruptly suspended.

"We'll be talking soon about what we'd like to do as neighboring communities," said Niceville Fire Chief Tommy Mayville, who has been overseeing both fire departments since Norris was suspended and subsequently resigned.

Mayville said if consolidation does occur it would be "more like a marriage than a merger" with each department retaining its own identity.

The two agencies have already settled upon a single mission statement that centers around providing citizens of both Niceville and Valparaiso "the service they deserve," Mayville said.

"Some good people are starting to see that these communities working together is more beneficial than working apart," he said.

Valparaiso City Commissioner Jay Denney, who holds the title of fire commissioner, said he is convinced integrating the two city departments would serve both communities well.

"This is an opportunity to make it a better fire service for both of our cities, and that's what we're trying to do," Denney said.

For approximately the same cost, the two departments could operate more efficiently as one, with better reaction capability and the ability to send specific specialized equipment, as needed, to emergencies, Denney said.

Denney said he has been working with Niceville City Manager Lannie Corbin and the two want to have something in place to present to the governing boards of Valparaiso and Niceville by the first of the year.

"We haven't come up with the full organizational plan," he said. "We haven't gotten to the final product yet."

Corbin confirmed Niceville officials "plan to get with Valparaiso (around the) first of December and hopefully work out a proposal by January."

In September, Valparaiso Mayor Brent Smith notified former chief Norris of his suspension by having Valparaiso Police Chief Joe Hart deliver a letter to him.

"I have lost confidence in your ability to sufficiently guide the Fire Department in a time of need," Smith's letter said. "I believe this to adversely affect the safe and efficient operation of the city government or any department. Especially the safety and welfare of our citizens who count on Fire Department services in life-threatening situations."

Denney confirmed there were "leadership issues and the Valparaiso Fire Department suffered from "systemic dysfunction" under Norris.

"They all worked well individually, but not always as a team," he said.

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