Overview
- City officials, who issued the termination Monday at 9 a.m., cited a loss of confidence after multiple firefighter resignations.
- Deputy Chief Jennifer Fiveash agreed to delay her resignation for about 45 days and will serve as acting chief while recruitment begins.
- Firefighters’ no-confidence letter alleges a hostile work environment, pressure to stay quiet, poor communication, and problems with financial oversight under Stephen Cox.
- Flagler County is supplying extra firefighters to keep crews at full strength, and city leaders say emergency coverage has not slipped even as residents voice worry about response times.
- Stephen Cox has five business days to request an exit interview and a name-clearing hearing, and the city is opening a search for a new chief with no internal candidates expected.