From storms to blazes to parades, this firefighter on wheels served community for much of a century
ABOVE: Old Betsy was new to Boca Raton in 1926 when the station was at Old Town Hall. Photo provided by the Boca Raton Historical Society
BELOW: Bets
fire department (14)
By Rich Pollack
Highland Beach commissioners last month got their first look at a proposed $28 million 2024-25 budget that includes leaving the town’s tax rate the same as in the current year.
The overall proposed budget, which includes a general fu
By Rich Pollack
The new Highland Beach Fire Rescue Department was in only its third week of operations when the call came that a construction worker had fallen off a building.
Within minutes firefighter/paramedics arrived and treated the man, who ha
By Rich Pollack
Highland Beach commissioners last month approved a $30.5 million budget, which is 31% higher than last year while at the same time holds the overall tax rate steady.
Bloated largely by the town’s decision to create its own fire rescu
By Rich Pollack
Highland Beach commissioners got their first glance at a proposed budget that is larger than the previous one — thanks mainly to the creation of a new fire department — but does not require an increase in the tax rate.
“This is a bala
By Rich Pollack
As Highland Beach moves forward with plans to create its own fire department and split from neighboring Delray Beach, the two municipalities continue to squabble over money.
The newest disagreement is centered on a Nov. 29 notice Delr
By Rich Pollack
John Shoemaker was pretty sure residents of Highland Beach would vote to support the town’s efforts to start a fire department when they went to the polls last month.
“I had a feeling from talking to residents and people in the condos,
The mural sample shows how the face of former Deputy Fire Chief Latosha Clemons (lower right) was obscured before the mural was redone in late 2020. Image provided
By Jane Smith
The first Black woman firefighter in Boynton Beach recently settled all
By Joe Capozzi
Briny Breezes officials want to ask Boynton Beach about the possibility of renegotiating the town’s fire rescue contract with the city.
The contract allows the city to charge Briny an annual fee based on the higher of two numbers — a
Highland Beach residents gather Sept. 9 at the Town Hall parking lot to enjoy free bites and hear about the ballot initiative to create a town-run fire department. Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star
By Rich Pollack
Highland Beach leaders are asking voters
By Rich Pollack
As Highland Beach moves forward with its plan to start its own fire department and sever its service contract with Delray Beach, both sides are discovering that breaking up is hard to do.
In recent weeks, two complaints about how Delr
By Rich Pollack
As Highland Beach leaders methodically move toward starting a town-operated fire department, they know that some skeptics believe they might be in over their heads.
Their message back: Don’t underestimate us.
“I think people will be s
Photographs of firefighters were used as the base for a mural named 'Community Heartbeat' by Boca Raton artist Lynn Doyal. In the mural sample above it can be seen how the face of Deputy Fire Chief Latosha Clemons was obscured. In a different panel (
