The Broward County Commission is questioning whether to wrest control of countywide fire-rescue services from the Broward Sheriff\u2019s Office, a change that would affect delivery of services from Weston and West Park to Lauderdale Lakes.<\/p>\n
The county\u2019s Fire Rescue department is up for discussion during the Commission\u2019s Aug. 20 meeting, according to a newly released meeting agenda. It\u2019s a \u201cmotion to discuss \u2026 the process necessary to bring the Broward County Department of Fire Rescue under the operational control of Broward County.\u201d<\/p>\n
In recent years, some communities have gauged whether they should keep contracting with the Broward Sheriff\u2019s Office, arguing that the benefit of having a centralized law enforcement agency is outweighed by Sheriff Gregory Tony\u2019s persistent requests for funding increases and a lack of control over how the money is spent.<\/p>\n
Earlier this year, Deerfield Beach voted to sever its ties with the Sheriff\u2019s Office, returning within two years to an independent police and fire-rescue department.<\/p>\n
Pembroke Park went independent with its police force in 2022.<\/p>\n
Pompano Beach, on the other hand, voted to stick with the Sheriff\u2019s Office for the next two years.<\/p>\n
Broward County Fire Rescue operated independently until 2003, when it merged with the Sheriff\u2019s Office to serve most unincorporated areas of Broward County and the cities and towns of Cooper City, Dania Beach, Deerfield Beach, Hallandale Beach, Hillsboro Beach, Lauderdale Lakes, Pembroke Park, West Park and Weston through contract agreements, according to the sheriff\u2019s website.<\/p>\n
More than 800 firefighters, paramedics and administrators work for the sheriff\u2019s Fire Rescue.<\/p>\n