The Broward County Commission has approved a study to determine the cost and benefits of reinstating Broward County Fire Rescue, an independent agency that was absorbed by the Broward Sheriff’s Office in 2003.
The decision was made at Tuesday’s County Commission meeting without discussion — a part of the “consent agenda” of non-controversial items passed at the beginning of meetings to clear time for issues that require debate and discussion.
The decision does not come with any obligations and does not necessarily spell trouble for the Broward Sheriff’s Office’s existing fire-rescue unit. But it comes at a time when the Sheriff’s Office faces change. Earlier this year, Deerfield Beach voted to sever ties with the Sheriff’s Office, and Pompano Beach is considering whether to take the same drastic step within the next couple of years.
The county, meanwhile, is looking at the cost of setting up an independent law enforcement agency to handle public safety at Port Everglades and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Tuesday’s vote adds reviving Broward County Fire Rescue to the study because it became a BSO function at the same time as seaport and airport security.
Rafael Olmeda can be reached at rolmeda@sunsentinel.com or 954-356-4457. Follow him on Twitter (X) @OlmedaNews.