POLK COUNTY, Fla.– Polk County Manager Bill Beasley has announced the resignation of Fire Rescue Chief Hezedean A. Smith, effective September 30, 2024. This follows the release of a report commissioned by the Board of County Commissioners that reviewed the management of the Fire Rescue Division.
Chief Smith was placed on two weeks of administrative leave before his resignation. An external firm’s report highlighted several challenges within the division and recommended a review of alleged management issues.
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“I take the challenges and frustrations expressed by members of our fire rescue division to heart and want to assure our employees that Polk County wants to create a high-performing, highly valued culture within the Fire Rescue operation,” Beasley said. “Our focus is to immediately consider necessary changes to achieve that goal.”
Beasley has appointed Assistant Chief Shawn Smith as the interim chief.
Shawn Smith, who is not related to Hezedean Smith, has over two decades of experience with Polk County Fire Rescue and has served in various leadership positions within the department.
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