By Anne Geggis
Palm Beach County will continue to put out Manalapan’s fires and provide emergency hospital rides via ambulance, the Town Commission decided.
Palm Beach County Fire Rescue won the 10-year contract to provide service to South County’s smallest coastal municipality at its March 26 commission meeting. Commissioners opted for continuing the town’s current contract instead of switching to Boynton Beach Fire Rescue.
Palm Beach County has been providing fire rescue services to Manalapan since 1997 and commissioners decided to stay with that despite Boynton Beach’s lower price and more extensive rescue watercraft located in closer proximity to Manalapan. The county’s individual rescue watercraft are in Lantana and must be brought in by trailer to Boynton Beach and launched from there to reach Manalapan.
Palm Beach County, however, has more specialists in its department and the highest rating from the independent organization that evaluates fire rescue departments nationwide.
The rating from the Insurance Services Office affects insurance rates, which should mean lower rates for Manalapan property owners.
In a last-ditch effort, after the motion to approve Palm Beach County’s fire rescue proposal was made and seconded, Boynton Beach Fire Chief Hugh Bruder called his department the “Bentley” of fire rescue departments.
Manalapan staff approached him to make a proposal, he said.
“When time means life or death, Boynton Beach Fire Rescue has a two-minute average faster response time,” Bruder said. “Boynton Beach Fire Rescue has one of the largest marine capabilities in South Florida, which is especially important for the large amount of waterfront property and people in Manalapan.”
And, he added, the contract with Boynton Beach would add up to about $3 million less than what the county is charging over the 10-year life of the contract.
Palm Beach County Fire Rescue officials were late to the meeting and not there to offer any counterpoints, but Bruder’s comments did not spur any further discussion on the commission.
Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Chief Patrick Kennedy, who arrived later in the meeting, said he was glad that his department could plan on another 10 years of serving Manalapan. It will mean finding a way to expand the current facility at Town Hall to meet the industry standard of four responders to each rig.
“We’re going to be working with the town to make that happen,” Kennedy said.
The county’s fire rescue contract is a continuation of its current terms, starting at $2.1 million and set to rise according to the taxable value of South Palm Beach’s property, reflecting how Manalapan’s terms for fire rescue services are connected to the town a half-mile north of Manalapan Town Hall. The utilities credit for the county’s use of town facilities that Manalapan can apply to its fire rescue bill will increase from $8,000 to $25,000 annually, however.
The conversation at the March 16 town workshop indicated a strong desire for continuity, as the commission has five new commissioners who have joined since December because new state financial disclosure requirements prompted resignations. Town Manager Linda Stumpf is also expected to retire in September after 14 years in her position.
“I realize that there is a value proposition here,” Mayor John Deese said, alluding to Boynton’s lower price and the staff and commission turnover. “I just think it would be wise and important for us to strongly consider staying in a relationship with Palm Beach County.”
Had Manalapan opted to switch to Boynton Beach, the county would have been faced with a conundrum because the Manalapan fire station supports service to Lantana and South Palm Beach.
Asked before the vote what plans Palm Beach County Fire Rescue had in place if Manalapan switched, a spokeswoman released a statement from the fire chief.
“It is Palm Beach County Fire Rescue’s intent to continue delivering excellent service to the barrier islands (Manalapan & South Palm),” the prepared statement from Kennedy read. “Our goal is to continue working with the Town of Manalapan to find ways to accommodate increased staffing.”
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