Escambia Public Safety Director Resigns Day After Firefighter Union Calls For His Removal

April 9, 2019

Escambia County Public Safety Director Mike Weaver has resigned, the day after the local firefighter union called for him to be removed.

After submitting his letter of resignation Tuesday, Weaver told NorthEscambia.com that he was ready to retire and that “some of the stuff going around is simply not true”.

In his resignation letter, Weaver said he was resigning because “false accusations about my work performance and character are being made by an employee union”. He said the “slanderous comments can only distract others from the true needs of their Public Safety Department.”

“I have always held myself that the needs of my neighbors are always paramount to those of my own,” Weaver wrote.

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Last week, Fire Chief Rusty Nail and Human Resources Director Eric Kleinert both resigned on the same day. The county’s IT director also recently resigned. There has not been no connection announced between the resignations.

Weaver’s announcement came the day after the Escambia County Professional Firefighters Union has notified the Escambia County Commission that the union had a vote of no confidence in him.

“Director Weaver has continuously demonstrated his inability to effectively lead the divisions of Public Safety, and has repeatedly failed to advocate for the true needs of Escambia County Fire Rescue,” the letter from Nick Gradia, union president, states.

“Director Weaver, despite the documented information and recommendations of staff, lacks the vision and fortitude to appropriately advocate for necessary service levels. Director Weaver’s obstructionist mentality and lack of long-term strategic planning constrains the ability of the men and women of Public Safety to provide safe and efficient emergency services to the citizens of Escambia County,” it also states.

The letter calls for the “decisive action” of the county commission to immediately remove Weaver from his position.

Weaver declined to comment for this story.

To read the entire firefighter’s union letter, click here.

Comments

One Response to “Escambia Public Safety Director Resigns Day After Firefighter Union Calls For His Removal”

  1. w.w. on April 10th, 2019 7:33 am

    I’ve known Mike for 20 years. Met him through the Vol. Fire Service. He’s a good man. Everyone has their faults. Me, Mike and the folks drafting letters.