Careers & Education

Polk County, FL, Chief Resigns Amid Allegations of 'Toxic' Environment

Sept. 16, 2024

Fire Chief Hezedean Smith was placed on two weeks of administrative leave after announcing his resignation from Polk County Fire Rescue.

Susan Nicol

Resigning Polk County Fire Rescue chief has been placed on administrative leave.

Fire Chief Hezedean Smith is leaving after a review reportedly revealed management issues and numerous challenges, WTSP reported.

Authors of the 721 page report didn't ask Smith about allegations of a "toxic" environment.

“I take the challenges and frustrations expressed by members of our fire rescue division to heart and want to assure our employees that Polk County wants to create a high-performing, highly valued culture within the Fire Rescue operation. Our focus is to immediately consider necessary changes to achieve that goal,” County Manager Bill Beasley said.

Before his last day on the job -- Sept. 30 -- he'll be serving two weeks of administrative leave.

“After meeting twice with Fire Chief Smith and Deputy County Manager Joe Halman, I have placed Chief Hezedean Smith on two weeks of Administrative Leave, which will precede his resignation,” Beasley said.

The review reportedly began back in February and examined the work environment throughout the division after the board hired an outside firm to conduct it. The county noted that this was a review and not an investigation.

About the Author

Susan Nicol | News Editor

Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.