Who Leaked the Document?

A leaked memo was purposely given to the Pensacola News Journal a little over one week ago.  When I was called and asked about it, I told reporter Jim Little in no uncertain terms, that this was spillage--and he had a confidential memo that was not supposed to be released.   I told Jim I would not comment on the specifics of that memo because to do so would be inappropriate.

Unfortunately, the PNJ built a story around some of the classified information contained in that confidential memo only, disregarded and DID NOT publish information from a filed complaint in the circuit court that disputes much of the information in the leaked document, and then published that story in Friday's edition of the PNJ.  Again, this information is only part of the story and paints several circumstances in a false light and appears to be extremely reckless and recklessly disregards the truth and facts of the issue in my opinion.

I spoke to Jim Little personally Thursday afternoon about the story, which by then was advance posted on PNJ's electronic edition.  I asked him point blank--where did you get this document Jim?  "I can't tell you."  He continued: "The person who I got this from has asked to remain anonymous---and for what it's worth--it wasn't the Medical Director"

Not surprisingly, Matt Selover--an Escambia County employee who was unflatteringly portrayed in PNJ's Friday story--is now filing a union grievance and requesting a formal investigation by the county about who it was that leaked that document.  I don't blame him at all, I would do the very same thing if I were him.  Now everyone, myself included, wants to know one thing:  Who Leaked the Document?

What is the Scope of Work (SOW) for the EMT/EMS Training Procurement?

The first draft of a Scope of Work (SOW) for the solicitation for EMS/EMT hands-on skills training has been completed and circulated to the board.  If all goes well, the training illustrated in the images below will be put out to bid this coming Wednesday, and we will open responsive bids on June 5th.

If any revisions are made to this SOW, I will post them here.  Meanwhile, this 5-page SOW is what is being put out:

Piling-on, the EMT/Paramedic's Union Weighs-In....

We received the above letter from the EMT/Paramedic's union yesterday late in the afternoon---after news broke that Emergency Services Director Mike Weaver had abruptly resigned.

It feels like a piling-on, ganging-up attack.  I don't know all the details, but from what we have been briefed on, there appears to have been multiple internal issues with the EMS service.  We will see what the investigation reveals about who knew what, and when they knew it.  It is quite possible that the raft of resignations and retirements we have seen over the last 6 months could all be connected somehow.  We shall see in due time.

As I pointed out yesterday, though, not every firefighter believes everything is Mike Weaver's fault.

Others with whom I have spoken since Mike Weaver abruptly announced his retirement have strong feelings on the matter:

"The union is destroying public safety and no one is doing anything about it other than getting backed into a corner by some want to be bullies that have the media's attention.  I don't think the worst is over yet, there's no one between the Union and the county admin to filter the BS. Sad/Bad days ahead"  said one long term fireman.

"The union and a few individuals are going to kill this county"  said another.

A local pastor familiar with the matter asked the following questions:

1.  Are you going to stand by and let an employee with the dedication, knowledge, and expertise of Mike Weaver leave abruptly without even crafting an exit plan or planning for a replacement?  I believe you and I both know, his heart is not to leave.  His retirement letter indicates he is doing it because he believes it is his only option.  Are you going to let that happen?

2.  Does the firefighter's union seriously get to tell you how to do your job?  They write a letter with unsubstantiated claims about Weaver's job performance causing a crisis, and you're okay with that?  I thought you're accountable to the voters in your district, not unions.  Why do they get to tell you how to do your job, and you silently let them do it?

There is a lot more to the story that will come out in the months ahead.  Meanwhile, we await the results of the investigation.

I did not know Mike Weaver very well, however all the interactions I had with him were very positive and professional.  I would be remiss if I also didn't point out the obvious;  resigning in the face of mounting criticism--especially if one does not feel the problems are his/her fault--is often a selfless act that puts the mission and the people ahead of the person who steps aside.

In other words, IF the one who steps aside is truly blameless and STILL resigns--this is an HONORABLE thing to do.  People should recognize this if it is applicable here.