In April, the Apopka City Council put a Request for Proposal (RFP) out for a Change Manager to consult and advise the Apopka Fire Department. It was a step recommended by Gannon Emergency Solutions in its report about the AFD.
Part of the RFP stated:
Independent Assessment and Verification
Introduction/Summary (section 1): Specifically, the City of Apopka seeks a consultant for independent verification and implementation of key recommendations provided by a recent comprehensive Health and Safety Review (conducted by a third party of the Fire Department).
Scope of Work (section 3): Conduct a detailed and thorough assessment of the Health and Safety Review provided by a third-party
Scope of Work (section 3a): Provide an independent, objective assessment and verification of the implementation of key recommendations provided in the Comprehensive Health and Safety review.
But the language used in the RFP did not suit Gannon or any other would-be Change Manager - as it did not receive a single bidder.
"The RFP clearly precludes our ability to participate and is not designed to address the full range of issues," said Gannon about the RFP at that time.
But with the new language and a new RFP, perhaps things can change this time.
The Apopka City Council, at its June 7th meeting, voted unanimously to resubmit an RFP to hire a Change Manager for the Apopka Fire Department.
"This isn't intended to be the end all be all," said Commissioner Kyle Becker. "It's more of a get the general sense of what the spirit of this RFP was."
Becker also referenced the previous RFP, which received no bids, and a scathing rebuke from Gannon Emergency Solutions.
"I think, the last RFP, and let's just assume good intent for the sake of argument, but it was more to kind of validate findings that were in certain reports versus just, you know, we're past that phase," said Becker. "Let's just accept them, and let's like, track them to completion."
Becker then read his draft proposal for a new RFP into the record:
Request for Proposal Guidelines of Scope | Project Manager - Apopka Fire Department
Justification
In 2022, the Apopka Fire Department, our city, friends, and family lost Firefighter Austin Duran due to a workplace accident while honorably serving in the line of duty. As a result, a series of reports have been completed, e.g., State Fire Marshall's Report and the Gannon Emergency Services Report, or are in the process of completion, e.g., National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NISH). These reports outline, amongst other things, deficiencies or areas for improvement in the operations of the Apopka Fire Department.
Over the last year, a series of events and votes have taken place that indicate a lack of confidence by various parties in how the administration will accept findings in the mentioned reports and fully track the implementation of solutions to address and close those findings. As was suggested in the Gannon report and approved in a majority consensus of the City Council, there is a desire for a change manager, or in the case of this proposal, a project manager who will be directly accountable to the City Council as it relates to the oversight of the implementation of these changes.
Having an independent project manager will ensure all necessary changes required in the reports of findings are adequately cited, addressed, and implemented. This will allow AFD administration full focus on creating and executing the changes required to promote a safe, healthy, and motivated department.
High-Level Statement of Work
The primary outcome of this work will be consolidating recommendations from the (3) safety reports previously mentioned, creating execution plans and schedules, and tracking the implementation of the recommendations. In addition to the report recommendations, the project manager will also facilitate the creation of a Strategic Plan, target organizational structure, and succession planning while at all phases of work accountable to the City Council.
Roles & Responsibilities
Duration
Accountability
Before the vote, the Council discussed the timing of putting a new RFP into play.
"I'd only say, do you want to wait until we get back the report from NIOSH?" Mayor Bryan Nelson asked.
NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health) is currently working on a report for the AFD.
"No, no, no," said Commissioner Diane Velazquez. "Because I asked him [Apopka Fire Chief Sean Wylam] about that report... and that can take up to two years. I don't feel at this point that we should wait for that report. Because we have one report already. And there's no guarantee that that report will come anytime soon."
"Yeah, we're planning to work on it in the meantime as well," said Commissioner Nick Nesta. "So yeah, I think it would make sense to implement it as soon as possible."
The Council voted 4-0 to put a new RFP for an AFD Change Manager, and to use the draft as a guideline for writing it. Commissioner Alexander Smith was not in attendance and did not vote on the measure.
After the vote, The Apopka Voice contacted Chris Gannon, the CEO of Gannon Emergency Solutions, to see if he might be interested in potentially putting in a bid on this RFP.
"The city brought in a globally recognized firm with state, national, and international experience to make the diagnosis," Gannon said. "I am hopeful a revised RFP gives us an opportunity to bid on providing the cure."
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MDuran
Positive things are coming to the AFD. I am excited for these changes, only saddened that it taking a year. But it’s finally coming and I am thankful for that. Thank you commissioner’s for not giving up on our fire department and thank you for not forgetting about Austin.
Tuesday, June 13, 2023 Report this
MamaMia
Doesn't seem like anyone is knocking down the door wanting the job of change manager, but I guess since someone probably got back with Gannon, he or she, learned how Gannon wanted the RFP written, so they would consider? If that it?
Tuesday, June 13, 2023 Report this
MamaMia
Correction last sentence, sorry. Is that it?
Tuesday, June 13, 2023 Report this
MamaMia
Anyway, an attorney would have to look at the language in the revised RFP, and go over it, before put out, and oops, we don't have an attorney, because you guys on the council "fired him", and ran him off. Guess, this change manager contract will have to wait until you all get some sound legal advice and direction. Sorry.
Tuesday, June 13, 2023 Report this
Richard
The first step is to relieve the Fire Chief of duty. There is obviously no confidence in his leadership by the men and women of the department, and the majority vote by city council asked for his release. He stated in one council meeting the the buck stops with him. That’s not true. The buck stops with the mayor. It’s his irresponsible decision to keep the safety and welfare of the department and community at risk with this lack of leadership.
Tuesday, June 13, 2023 Report this
maylinna
Sorry Mamma Mia no legal advice is necessary on this subject. Besides that the the legal advice from Nelson’s past 2 personal attorneys is worthless. As a Michael Rodriguez would say according to the city charter in Florida state statute, you need to look at code 100,B186 sub paragraph 6.24368 sub paragraph B019936 paragraph two parentheses 6358621–302 489-,2020 36854A Dash 3462.
Tuesday, June 13, 2023 Report this
Richard
The city had a attorney when the last RFP was written. And that got us NO bidders. Maybe that was the problem MaMa Mia. Or was that by design ? Maybe a simple worded common sense RFP is what’s needed. And if Nelson would have fired the “ blindsided “ Fire Chief after the two independent reports citing negligence on the city’s part, they wouldn’t have to spend more money on a Change Manager.
Tuesday, June 13, 2023 Report this
MamaMia
Maylinna,. Are you aka Holy Moley? I think so. If you all think for one minute Mayor Nelson is going to hire someone under contract, without an attorney's review, of the revised RFP, and contract, I think you all are delusional. It does not matter about the past attorney's RFP, as that one, no one bidded on it, and this one, the commissioners want revised, so it will be reviewed before put out to bid, or if someone is hired under contract . It does not matter whether it is required, or not, for an attorney to look at it, and give it the okay, that is the way it will be. I am not sure how long it will be, since the three commissioners ran off the previous attorney, and Becker helped run off the last attorney too. No one is knocking down the city hall doors to get their foot in the door, to be the Apopka city attorney. I wonder why? We can't have Becker write it up, and for him to say, I don't need a law degree to do it, and that it is okay. It doesn't work that way in government. It could be quite awhile waiting on this. Just saying......
Tuesday, June 13, 2023 Report this
wheresthepopcorn
They had to reopen it, no one applied for it. So Becker is no Hero but the jack of all trades and the master of none. You need an attorney. So go pay some firm by the hour. It will add up quick. It is harder to run off outside council since they are hourly.
Rodriguez knew the rules y’all just don’t like how it was explained to you because you don’t understand. If I explain my job to you, you wouldn’t get it you don’t have a nursing degree. Will I try? sure.
No offense mduran but I think they just want ti get this done and make the meetings shorter. It seems like other counties and cities are having similar issues.
Tuesday, June 13, 2023 Report this
MDuran
It appears that some may be excited that this new RFP may take a while to be posted. I’m not sure as to why. The AFD needs help years ago. This RFP will be posted sooner than some think. Furthermore, the previous RFP was NOT written in the correct way. It was NOT in the will of the commission, fire staff and not by me. We did not need another consultant. I personally pushed back on the original RFP during the zoom meeting and afterwards with follow up. THAT is why there were no bids.
Positive change is on the way for the AFD. Our men and women deserve to be safeguarded, fully trained and go home at the end of their shift. That is what this is all about. Protecting our firefighters.
Tuesday, June 13, 2023 Report this
MDuran
@Richard- once again, you are spot on. On all accounts.
Tuesday, June 13, 2023 Report this
wheresthepopcorn
written by who? you as a citizen can not write it. sorry. and I can’t fight fires.
Tuesday, June 13, 2023 Report this
MDuran
@Popcorn- with all due respect. I am unaware of any other city that has lost a firefighter in the line of duty, at their fire station, working on fire equipment due to neglectful lack of training and safety protocols. I am also unaware of such cities that if that would have happened, that the two people directly involved in managing the training and safety got a 60/60 perfect review and a maximum pay raise in the exact time range of that firefighters death. I am further unaware of that city leadership push back so hard for a change to make that fire department better and safer. I am unaware of that city that would treat the family of that fallen firefighters family with absolute disrespect and attempt to minimize the tragic death of that firefighter.
With all due respect, direct me to such a city other than Apopka that has done that. I would be interested in speaking with the stakeholders that were involved in that and how they came out on the other side.
Your mayor takes no caution is soliciting the state to deny a developer funding without knowledge of the commission. Your mayor takes no issue meeting with HOA representatives to broker a deal in private only to wage a NO vote for something he pushed for.
With all due respect, you, Mama Mia or anyone else that is NOT in the fad five of Apopka fire admin, can not truthfully explain to me how any of this is right. How any of this is just. Since your mayor refuses to fire the failed fire chief, we must bring in better, more accountable leadership. You can’t possibly believe that I should just take my blocks and go home. Just forget about it all ? Explain ANY I said here is incorrect. Explain to me how I am wrong.
In my opinion, the commissioners ARE hero’s. They are fighting for what is right. What is needed and what is just.
Tuesday, June 13, 2023 Report this
maylinna
Mamma Mia, you must of been the “CLUE” champion at your house! Tell me you found out where the popcorn was by playing CORN HOLE with him?
Tuesday, June 13, 2023 Report this
MamaMia
Maylinna, You're probably posting again after downing shot after shot, and glass after glass of hard liquors. Your posting is dumb, and makes no sense. Why don't you just get back to your Old Mr. Boston's Bartender's Guide, and play with your puppets....
Tuesday, June 13, 2023 Report this
Richard
Mr. Duran, don’t bother with these people. Popcorn is as much a nurse as I am Planning and Zoning czar. And if Mama’s boy Bobby would have been hurt or killed on the job by a lack of training, she’d been singing a different tune. We will remain focused along with you, and pray for an outcome to keep our community and first responders safe from incompetent leadership.
Tuesday, June 13, 2023 Report this
MamaMia
Michael Duran. I don't work for you, I don't have to answer to you. You rubbed me the wrong way, when you insulted me, calling me weak minded and ignorant. After that very nice apology from you too...wow. Very strange, is all I can say. I will say this though, it seems you think you are in charge of the entire Apopka Fire Department, and you are not. Look at your postings above. Are you "taking credit" for no one making a bid on the previous RFP? It seems that way to me. There are others, who won't tell you what they think, but I will. I think when you took it upon yourself to invite Chris Gannon, and have him come all the way from south Florida to come to the city council meeting, unannounced, and spring it on the mayor, with you both talking behind the scenes, it appeared to be collusion, but not in a illegal way, but still appeared to be colluding together. Maybe it was not that way, but it appeared that way to me. These bids are suppose to be fair for any who bid. The scales are not to be tipped in any one's favor on bidding. Clearly, you want Gannon, the commissioners want Gannon, but it is the mayor who hires and fires, and I know you, and the commissioners are not happy about that, but that is the way it is. It was the Mayor who hired Gannon to start with, and guess what, the commissioners were not happy about it when he did, and now that is the only one the commissioners want to get the job! I know you are still hurt and angry, and are still grieving, but I guess I had to be the one to tell you, that you are not in charge of the fire department, even though of your concern. Now, I am really wondering if Gannon wrote up this last RFP, or was it Becker, or who? A lot going on behind the scenes.
Tuesday, June 13, 2023 Report this
MamaMia
Richard, I don't have a boy (Bobby)....I have a man, my husband. FYI, he got hurt more than once on the job, doing dangerous work, and no, not as a firefighter for the city.
Tuesday, June 13, 2023 Report this
MDuran
MamaMia- I will say this to you. My apologies were genuine to you. However, when you say that this RFP will have to ‘wait, sorry’ You act as the mayor has been acting. It’s like you’re excited that it has to wait, when I’ve been waiting for nearly a year after my sons death. And you’re right. I don’t run the fire department. But I did fight for a training chief, life safety chief and 18 new firefighters. I did fight for Gannon after he was hired by the mayor. I do want Gannon to finish what they started. I didn’t know that was a secret. I have spoken to Gannon. His whole reason to be hired by the mayor was because of my sons death. Did you think he wouldn’t want to speak to me ? You know little. Gannon did not have anything to do with these RFP’s.
You can bash me all you want. You can talk down to me and try to minimize me. You can try to hurt my feelings and try to make me feel insignificant. Nothing you say can make me feel more alone and worse than I already do from losing my son. Nothing you say to me can be worse than the treatment I have already received from the mayor. If you are not in support of what I’m trying to accomplish, then I have nothing further to discuss with you. My actions have been nothing but for the betterment of the department my son gave his life for. If you can’t understand that now, you never will. It wasn’t your son, so you can’t ever know what I feel. You can never comprehend the loss of your kid. So go ahead and try to belittle me, minimize me, isolate me more than I already am. You will soon forget me. But you will not forget Austin and what he gave to your ‘proud’ city.
Tuesday, June 13, 2023 Report this
MDuran
@Richard- good advice. Thank you sir.
Tuesday, June 13, 2023 Report this
MamaMia
Michael, I feel that you should take a step back , at least for awhile, because this grief over your son's death, is bearing on your soul so very much,. too much, and it seems being consumed with the fire department, is not helping with your grief. I don't care if you bash the mayor, the fire chief, the other fire chiefs, I mean this sincerely, that it doesn't seem to be helping your healing,...just constant reminders of Austin's days spent in the Apopka Fire Department. I don't mean to be cruel, or bash you, and in no way minimize Austin's death, whether you believe me, are not I am sorry. Give it a try, bash the officials all you want, but give it a try. The last council meeting was heart wretching to me, when you described Austin on the gurney upstairs in the hospital. Michael, I do care that your son was killed, but I can't bring him back. It is your choice if you want to talk with me or not, if you want to talk to me, I will talk with you, but it is your choice.
Tuesday, June 13, 2023 Report this
maylinna
. Yo mama’s so stupid, when they said, “Order in the court,” she asked for fries and a shake!
Wednesday, June 14, 2023 Report this
MamaMia
Maylinna:. Or better known as Eddie Poirier, Apopka Mole, now as Maylinna, on this website....I guess you have had time by now, to realize that I no longer tune in, and log into your website, to hear your lies, and spread of filth, and toxic crap. So you come on here, under this fake name. No one cares a crap about you. They just use you in their quest against their political enemies. I no longer listen to your toxic spew. As Wheresthepopcorn said, you are only relevent, if someone makes you relevent, and you aren't, you are just another very sick puppy.
Wednesday, June 14, 2023 Report this
MamaMia
I want Apopka Critic to know because of his posting of the rendering of the Eustis Skate Park, and how absolutely fabulous it appeared, I decided to check it out, and find it, while up that way. It looked modern and huge on that rendering he posted. Like something maybe in Lake Nona, or Celebration. Uppity. Well, it looks nothing like the rendering at all! It is very small, in an older section of town, close to the boat ramp we use to go to. I didn't even know of that park, right on the canal, going into Lake Eustis, not to confused with Ferran Park. Late in the afternoon, and only two boys skating, and three guys fishing the canal in the shade. A nice shady place, even had one small skate ramp, under cover, if raining to use, but it in no way, looked like that photo rendering. I also checked out Longwood's Candyland rec park, and skate park, baseball fields, etc. Ours are way better, believe me, but we don't have a skate park, of course. Their skate park is very small too, but okay. No one was there skating, but one couple was at the nearby dog park. Their's is right in a residential subdivision. I plan on checking out the new Ocoee skate park next, and Winter Garden's rec park, and Veteran's Park, next, when over that way
Wednesday, June 14, 2023 Report this
maylinna
Mamma Mia you’re so hostile! You and Gaylord Foker always seem to be bullying somebody.
Yo momma so ugly even hello kitty said goodbye!
Wednesday, June 14, 2023 Report this
Florian
Fire Chiefs should not be unilaterally appointed by Mayors - period. These vacancies must be advertised and candidates put through an independent assessment process that selects the right person, with the right attributes, and approved by a selection committee.
Strong communication skills are fundamental and the need for a communications coach for Apopka’s Chief highlights a flawed appointment system.
The fire service is an industry of constant risk assessment in everything it does. Policies are written to identify risks, and create procedures that become part of the staff training program. That process should apply to all equipment, especially 4500lb trailers with a history of concern. The absence of this confirms a lack of experience in management. The Duran family are paying the ultimate price for that lack of experience.
The Mayor did the right thing in commissioning independent reviews, but it is how he treated and criticized the findings that has let him down and caused so much unnecessary frustration. When reports identify weaknesses in a fire department, a Mayor with no real understanding of the industry should accept facts and follow expert advice. There is no logical reason to criticize and threaten the experts, give perfect evaluations to management, and refuse to hold anyone accountable. It makes no sense. Neither does stopping an internal investigation. That's why people are angry.
Wednesday, June 14, 2023 Report this
MDuran
@MamaMia- with all due respect, nothing will “help my grief”. This isn’t about my grief rather it’s about making sure nothing like this can ever happen again. With the poor management and leadership still in place, I have no confidence that it won’t. I am consumed. Who wouldn’t be? Everyone can go on about their lives at the end of the day. Never can I. My life is forever changed. The shock wave that was sent by this negligence will forever remain with me and my family. ‘Take a step back’ ? Never. I will continue to take steps forward for my son that can no longer. I will continue to fight for the men and women of the AFD until they are confident in their leadership. If I bring justice to Austin. If I save just one life. If I can fix something that was obviously broken, only then can I take a ‘step back’
Contrary to the city, I have no ill will. I have fought for the betterment of the AFD members. I have treated everyone with respect. I used to meet with Wylam every Friday to talk about an action plan. No, I don’t manage the fire department, but neither does he. I am however a manager in a large company. I do manage a team. I am responsible for a budget and equipment. With that said, I can bring value to AFD.
Instead of questioning me, why do you never question the management and leadership of the department? Clear and documented evidence shows that the department failed. They mayor himself admits to the failure of training. Why don’t you question him how he ignores to take action to those that failed? Why don’t you question why he treats me like I am nobody? Why do you not question him for minimizing the wrongful death of my son? His own firefighter. His own employee?
I don’t expect an answer from you but I hope I was able to illiterate where I’m coming from and how I got here. I would gladly lay my own life down for my kids. Take a step back? That will help with my grief? Finishing what I started out to do almost a year ago will not fix it, but it will help.
Wednesday, June 14, 2023 Report this
MDuran
@Florian- Exactly on the mark. I will be interested to see if or how a response will be made to your post. Thank you for your correct insight.
Wednesday, June 14, 2023 Report this
maylinna
What did the Baby corn say to the Mommy corn?
Wheres Pop corn?
Wednesday, June 14, 2023 Report this
MamaMia
Michael,. With all due respect, no, I can't understand the death of a person's child, as I am a person with no children. I have had my parents pass on, not from an accident, but from health issues, and I was hysterical when I found out my daddy died unexpectedly. My mother, she died at an old age, from health issues, but I grieved and grieved for years. It was like the sun went down, and never came back up. A very dark place where you feel all alone, with a void within, where nothing makes you feel like you used to, back when you were happy, without a care in the world. Years I grieved, and eventually things begin to get better. It used to like, I could not talk about my mother without crying. Today, I am in a better place. It is hard, very hard, I know from my experiences. Plus, I don't have any brothers or sisters. I have no relatives in Florida, and my relatives have died out mostly in another state, so I know about feeling alone, too. Michael, have you tried to seek grief counseling with any professionals? I know it is none of my business, and I hope you don't get mad, and offended by me asking you. I really think you should. Sometimes grief counseling is something, men, especially, don't want to go to, but please consider it, possibly. I want you to know also, that I do care about Austin, and when he died, I planned on attending his funeral at the big church, but when I looked up the arrangements, it was for fire department people only. That was your right to have the arrangements that way though. Your every right. I wouldn't have been planned on going to your son's funeral, if I didn't care. So whether you "talk' with me, or not, whatever you decide, your choice, I did want you to know I had planned to go to your son's funeral. If you don't see any postings by me, it might be because I had been trying to post, and an error indicator keep coming up saying fatal error, just on this article though, so I thought maybe Reggie had shut me down? I don't know, so if you don't see anything by me, that could be the case.
Wednesday, June 14, 2023 Report this
wheresthepopcorn
maylinna the orlando meter maid - popcorn has a life
Wednesday, June 14, 2023 Report this
maylinna
Mamma Mia you said you used to walk all over Apopka? Do you know the best way to burn 400 calories ? Leave the popcorn in the microwave for too long!
Wednesday, June 14, 2023 Report this
BadKarma
@mduran nothing I can say will ever bring your son back. I don’t think anyone is intending to attack you. I know you feel
you are doing what is right for your son’s memory. But You are aligning yourself with the wrong person. Separate yourself from others, you have made your point. You don’t need anyone else. You got this. There will be changes and you can take credit for that not that you are looking for it but for your son’s memory. I have not lost a child and I can’t imagine how horrible it is to lose your son on the job The job he loved. We all knew not to lift the trailer. Someone should have spoke up. Every county and every city has a least one wacko. You are not that wacko but you are aligned with one. He is selfish and self centered and has his own agenda. He has blocked anyone who doesn’t validate him. Don’t drink
the Kool Aid it will your credibility. The mayor, the attorneys, the city manager…have been harassed long enough by this person. He can post or broadcast whatever he wants but we can not?! He is harassing the mayor and ge harassed the attorney. No one is making memes about you. Look at what he has dome over the years. He is using you and someone is using him. Your agenda is yours and its legit.
Thursday, June 15, 2023 Report this
maylinna
Another Nelson troll. Anyone that starts their post off indicating that they have never lost a child………. Then has the audacity to give advice about something they have no idea about. Leave Mr. Duran alone and go back to paying homage to your cult leader Bryan. In other words shut the *** up about things you admit yourself you have no idea about?
Friday, June 16, 2023 Report this
maylinna
@Badkarma, you said that “we all knew not to lift the trailer “ and then said “someone should have spoke up”? Then if you knew, why didn’t you speak up?
Friday, June 16, 2023 Report this