Response Call Interrupts FL Chief's Swearing In

WEST PALM BEACH — Palm Beach County swore in its new fire chief Monday amid traditions as old as the Dalmatian.

In the cavernous garage at the agency's headquarters in suburban West Palm Beach, and with friends, family, dignitaries and fellow firefighters standing in place of trucks, Reginald Duren became only the fifth chief since Fire-Rescue was created in October 1984 from 10 separate districts.

Duren was named Feb. 22. He'd started with the city of Miami and most recently had been chief in Riviera Beach for five years.

He replaced Michael Mackey, who'd been chief since January 2018.

No mention was made Monday of the man Mackey replaced: Chief Jeffrey Collins, who resigned, along with two other top agency officials, amid a sexual harassment and retaliation scandal.

Retired Chief Steve Jerauld did say Mackey had been selected "to bring a sense of calm and direction to the department." And County Administrator Verdenia Baker told Mackey, "You answered the call when unexpectedly called to service."

Mackey — who grew up in the Miami area and spent three decades at Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue — already had committed to retiring around this time when he was tapped. He starts April 1 as chief in Lansing, Michigan.

On Monday, an honor guard marched in tartan kilts, with bagpipes and a drummer twirling pompon-tipped drumsticks. Mackey got a flag that had flown over headquarters. The union gave him an ornamental firefighter's ax. And Mackey handed to Duren a ceremonial horn like those used to blare instructions in the days before radios and loudspeakers and always by whoever was in charge. It has become a symbol of leadership.

And as a dispatcher broadcast countywide that this was Mackey's last call.

Outside, an giant American flag hung between two trucks. Such displays often are seen at sad occasions, such as the death of a firefighter or soldier or law-enforcement officer. That wasn't the case today. Firefighters stood, some in dress uniforms. None had smudged faces, or was sucking from an oxygen mask, or was weeping over that last kid he couldn't get out in time.

Finally, with family watching, Duren was sworn in. A firefighter range the bell in a 1-5-1: one time for the highest ranking officer, five times for the agency's fifth chief, and once for the new chief's first day of service.

Duren praised "the most talented and passionate firefighters in the country."

Then, he said "it's time to get to work."

Surrounding the garage had been trucks from different stations and units, representing Mackey's assignments over the years. Sure enough, halfway through the ceremony, three of those trucks fired up lights and sirens and pulled out onto Pike Road.

They had to go to a call.

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