What is going at the Polk County Fire Rescue Department? Part 1

Here's what we know at this point.

This article was updated at 11:30 am on January 11th, 2024 to correct the name of the hurricane, originally listed as Ian, when it was actually Idalia. There were some grammatical changes as well. The grammatical changes did not have any effect on the story.

There appears to be a new scandal here in Polk County. We at Polk County Citizens Defending Freedom have been working to get the entire story however, it looks like that will require some time. I am posting the information we have about the situation with Polk County Fire and Rescue as of now. If you have any information, I can definitely use your help. Please contact me at rgoodman@ccdfusa.com.

While we are searching for the truth about this situation, we are standing along with many others in Polk County in support of two Battalion Chiefs who are facing termination due to allegations of insubordination. The alleged insubordination insubordination appears to revolve around persistent inquiries regarding the actions of the Polk fire crew. They provided assistance to hurricane victims in a disaster zone following the impact of Hurricane Idalia on North Florida in August 2023.The firefighters have stated they were not compensated full-shift pay. Chief of Battalion 7, A-Shift, Charlie True was dismissed from his 18-year position on Friday, January 5th. We have dozens of PCFR personnel telling us Chief True is one of the best. Evan Towns, Battalion 1 Chief B-Shift, has allegedly being dismissed from his 20-year position, as well. Chief Towns has received some of the highest praise and honors as being Paramedic of the Year and is currently a SWAT Medic for Grady Judd himself. In addition, he also teaches special operations classes.

We joined with local Fire and Rescue on Tuesday, January 10th, to bring this to the attention of the County Commission. Watch the video here.

“I THINK WE HAVE A PROBLEM, I THINK WE HAVE A MANAGEMENT PROBLEM IN OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT”

Here’s the information we’ve gathered so far regarding this situation. Please remember we are currently in the fact-finding phase and stay tuned for more information as the situation unfolds. I would like to give a special thanks to Carl from the Daily Ridge for bringing this matter to our attention.

The accusation is that Polk County Fire Rescue personal went to assist those in need after Hurricane Idalia, on behalf of Polk County. The personnel left their families and headed to a disaster zone to prove assistance. Reportedly, there was a verbal conversation with a Battalion Chief that the compensation for deployment would either be half of the usual pay or equivalent to half a normal shift. After discussions with numerous PCFR employees, it has been brought to light that in previous instances, PCFR crews received full compensated for their involvement in disaster response efforts. As of now, none of the individuals we've spoken to have been able to provide insight into the criteria used for selecting members who were dispatched for the emergency assistance. There are indications that these individuals may not have been given an option to participate, although we are still awaiting confirmation on this matter.

These developments raiseimmediate questions that we’re actively working to get answered. There are more inquiries to be made, and we are committed to seeking further information on the matter.

1. It's not clear whether this communication was directed specifically to the Battalion Chief or if it was conveyed to everyone involved.

2. As of now, there is uncertainty about whether the communication regarding compensation during the disaster response was in WRITING, specifically to the Battalion Chief or to everyone involved. There is no confirmed information indicating that such communication was provided in written form, and individuals contacted thus far have stated they did not see any written documentation.

3. Was the county reimbursed by FEMA for deploying crews to these disaster zones?  If compensation was received by the county, what was the amount, and was it entirely allocated to cover the costs of Polk County's assistance efforts?

4. Multiple sources have informed us that certain individuals who attended a conference were compensated with full shifts.  While the conference occurred at a separate time, the question arises as to the justification behind fully compensating attendees for conferences while providing only half-shift pay for disaster relief efforts.

5. What actions led to the termination of the first Battalion Chief due to insubordination, and what were the supportive actions of the second Battalion Chief that resulted in his own dismissal or demotion?

If you wish to show support for Charlie alongside PCFR personnel, you may consider updating your social media profile pictures to the one provided below..

Citizens Defending Freedom fully supports our emergency responders, but concerns have emerged regarding the administration at PCFR. The extent of these issues is significant, prompting a need to delve deeper and uncover the truth about the ongoing situation. If you are affiliated with Polk Fire Rescue and possess insights, please reach out to me at rgoodman@ccdfusa.com.

We have engaged in discussions with the county and will provide ongoing updates as we gather more information.

To be continued…….