News

By Rich Pollack

    While Delray Beach considers whether to have Palm Beach County Fire Rescue provide its fire service, the town of Highland Beach is hedging its bets and planning discussions to determine the feasibility of having Boca Raton replace Delray Beach as its fire service provider.
    Currently, Highland Beach has a $3 million-a-year contract for Delray Beach to provide around-the-clock staffing for the town’s fire station.
    Highland Beach provides an aging fire truck and rescue vehicle that is used by Delray Beach Fire Rescue personnel for calls within the town limits.
    Although the contract runs until 2017, Highland Beach could have several options for fire service providers sooner, should Delray Beach choose to have the county provide its fire service rather than maintain its own department.
    “Our contract with Delray runs until 2017. However, if they consolidate, we will need to look at other alternatives,” Town Manager Kathleen Weiser said.
    One option would be contracting with the county, but late last month Highland Beach Mayor Bernard Featherman spoke with Boca Raton Mayor Susan Haynie about the possibility of Boca Raton providing fire services for the town. Haynie mentioned the discussion during a workshop meeting and all Boca Raton Council members were in favor of exploring the possibility.
    Highland Beach Town Commissioner Lou Stern also has spoken to Haynie about the issue.
    During a recent Highland Beach meeting, commissioners gave town officials the green light to contact Boca Raton staff members to study the feasibility of Boca providing fire service.
    Weiser said that the town is interested in hearing from Boca even if Delray does keep its own fire-rescue service, since the current contract will expire in less than four years.
    “This really is very preliminary,” she said. “It’s preliminary conversations between elected officials.”
    Delray Beach is scheduled to discuss the county consolidation proposal on June 12 in a special meeting.
Delray Beach Fire Rescue Chief Danielle Connor said that Delray Beach enjoys a collaborative working relationship with Highland Beach.
    “Our service has never been an issue,” she said. “It’s only improved since we began working together in 1993.”
    In earlier discussions with Delray Beach, Highland Beach official have explored the possibility of having Delray also provide a fire truck and a paramedic vehicle for an estimated $130,000 a year.
    Highland Beach’s 18-year-old fire truck has been repeatedly out of service in recent years.
    “Our fire truck is on life support, and our rescue vehicle isn’t far behind,” Weiser said.
“Under this proposal, we would get out of the equipment business and would pay a vehicle maintenance fee in return for Delray Beach providing equipment.”