DeLand Fire Chief leaving

By Jennifer Horton
BEACON STAFF WRITER

posted Oct 14, 2008 - 5:01:43pm

Fire Chief Patrick Kelly's last day with the DeLand Fire Department will be Nov. 7. After just less than four years with DeLand, he's moving on to bigger pastures.

"I'm going to be the Fire Chief in Tucson, Ariz.," he said. "It's a department of about 800 personnel with a $100 million budget. That's about twice as big as the entire City of DeLand's budget."

"It's going to be a challenge," Kelly said. "Professionally, it's what I'm looking for. It is a great opportunity."

Kelly said when he came to DeLand, former City Manager Mike Abels tasked him with three tasks: No. 1, to stabilize and diversify the fire department; No. 2, to instill a higher level of professionalism in the department; and, No. 3, to provide a succession plan.

Kelly is proud of the department's progress.

Three years ago, one of DeLand's 36 firefighters was a member of a minority. Today, of 46 firefighters, six are minority members. And, there is less turnover.

"We did stabilize the department," Kelly said. "People were coming and going regularly."

Now, he said, due in part to a process for promotion from within, people are coming on board and they're staying.

"I'm really proud that we put in a requirement for education in the promotional process," the chief said. "We're a young department. Most personnel have an average of two, three years' experience."

Adding the education component gives new firefighters a chance to build their careers in DeLand.

Kelly said his deputy chief is capable of taking over when he leaves, and carrying everything forward.

"Right now, the city has an advertisement with Florida Fire Chiefs," he said. "They're looking for people to interview. They'll be looking at selecting the next fire chief."

City Manager Michael Pleus confirmed the city is advertising for applicants, and he wished Kelly well.

"This is a great opportunity for him, and something he has wanted," Pleus said. "You always hate to see good department heads or good employees go, but I always encourage employees to move ahead. ... The side effect is, unfortunately, sometimes they move on."

In addition to the gains in staff retention and department professionalism, Pleus noted Kelly was instrumental in lowering the ISO rating for the city, which can make fire insurance less expensive for businesses and homeowners.

"We're going to miss him," Pleus said.

— jen@beacononlinenews.com

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