City names acting fire chief ahead of merger

With the Palm Beach County Sheriff ’s Office merger officially starting Feb. 1, the city took the first step in restructuring its fire rescue department by naming an acting fire chief.

The City Council this past week tapped Mark Pure, a fire rescue division chief who has been with the department for nearly 23 years, to serve until a permanent chief is hired.

The city’s police, fire and emergency medical services operate under the Public Safety Department, run by Director Mike Porath.

But once the merger is complete, Porath’s position — and the city’s police force — will move to the sheriff ’s office, meaning a fire chief position needed to be created.

“Mark knows it will be his job to set up the fire department,” City Have a Greenacres issue you’d like to see The Post tackle, or a story idea? Contact Kevin D. Thompson at 561-820-4573 or KThompson@pbpost.com.

Attorney Jim Stokes said at last week’s special council meeting. “It’s his work to do. I’ve warned Mark it could take six months.”

Pure was not available for comment.

The new city manager will be in charge of hiring a fire chief. The city hopes to have a new manager in place by the end of January. Former City Manager Wadie Atallah was recently fired by the council.

Councilwoman Judy Dugo said she was pleased with Pure’s appointment.

“He’s been doing this for years,” she said. “The continuity will be excellent.”

Some city officials, however, said it took the city too long to name an acting fire chief, blaming Atallah.

“There was no communication and he wasn’t being proactive with fire rescue,” Councilwoman Lisa Rivera said. “Since our police department was going to the sheriff ’s office and Mike was serving a dual purpose, we needed a city manager who was looking toward the future.”

Dugo said she tried to address the issue with Atallah at least three times.

“It fell on deaf ears,” she said. “We need a fire chief as soon as the new city manager is on board. The fire chief and that department must be given respect or we will lose them also. The city has long neglected that department, using the excuse we didn’t have enough money, then we had a major surplus every year.”

Atallah didn’t return a call for comment.

Mayor Sam Ferreri said the city plans to place an ad for the fire chief position before December 1.

“When the new manager is hired, he or she will have all of these applicants,” Ferreri said.