New FL Chief: We Know, Accept Our Challenges
By Kathy Leigh Berkowitz
Source The Ledger, Lakeland, Fla.
WINTER HAVEN, FL—Robert Weech admitted to reporters that he was "a little bit anxious" Wednesday prior to being sworn in as Polk County Fire Rescue's new chief.
The former deputy chief officially took the reins Wednesday during the department's Fall Honors and Recognition Ceremony at Polk State College Center for Public Safety.
Weech, 52, said "it is a big responsibility" to undertake — and one he takes seriously.
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"I am a firm believer in public safety," he said, noting that his big mantra to the department is: "Let's deliver at a high level daily, and let's work to get better every day."
During the ceremony, the department also congratulated the ambulance service on its first accreditation and saw beginner firefighters graduate from their probation period.
Polk County Commission Chairman George Lindsey said Weech has the "right temperament, the right combination of experience in both the field and in academics," and is "the right man at the right time."
Weech joined Polk County Fire Rescue in February 2017 as deputy fire chief of logistics and special services. He was joined Wednesday by his wife, Cathy, along with their daughter, Kennedy.
Weech replaces Chief Tony Stravino, who announced his retirement shortly after the controversy following the department's handling of a response to a North Lakeland house fire in which 76-year-old Lorretta Pickard died. The county called for better training and better resources for firefighters after her death.
Weech was successful in snagging county funding to increase personnel on the county's nine fire engines to three people instead of two, adding two training positions and a 40-hour professional development mentor program that will bring in outside coaches and trainers to help train Polk Fire Rescue.
Those classes start in January, he said, and will not only be for the younger personnel, but also the more experienced positions.
Moving forward, Weech said that while the message to the department is not going to be any different than it was under the previous chief, the department is setting up "a whole new direction," with "more training, more training hours."
"We understand what our challenges are, and we accept them," he said.
Polk County Fire Rescue responds to 250-260 calls daily across the county, and on some busier days, up to 300. Weech said last year the department ran about 100,000 calls, and this year it's on target for about 105,000.
Ambulance service accreditation
Polk County Fire Rescue recognized several people who helped achieve its first ambulance service accreditation.
The Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services accredited the service. It's a higher-caliber standard than typical state and local licensing.
There are more than 180 CAAS-accredited agencies in 39 U.S. states, Canada and the West Indies, with 200 more agencies in the midst of the application process.
The accreditation comes through an independent review process and lasts three years, then must be renewed.
Deputy fire chief bids farewell
Polk Fire Rescue Deputy Fire Chief Mike Linkins, who retires in February, served as the keynote speaker for the event, which also promoted several firefighters from their probation rank to that of a fully recognized firefighter.
The firefighters exchanged their yellow helmets for black helmets and received accolades for their achievements.
Linkins said he was "passing the torch," noting that being a public servant is "a noble job, it's an honorable job." He encouraged the group to continue their education, continue self-improvement, and "strive for perfection," while reminding them also to take care of their families.
He said the "badge and the uniform, it means something to me," and added "I've done my absolute best to protect that. Now don't let me down."
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