After further review, the critique stands.
Just 12 days after receiving the City of Apopka's 145 edits, comments and rebuttal to its initial report, Gannon Emergency Solutions (GES) responded to the City and the Apopka Fire Department with a 27-page report that stands solidly behind its initial findings.
Through a public record's request, The Apopka Voice has received the second response by GES, and it's just as scathing as the first.
Gannon CEO Chris Gannon opened the report with a letter to Apopka Fire Chief Sean Wylam:
"Chief Wylam,
Gannon Emergency Solutions (GES) provided you with a “Draft for Client Review” of the Comprehensive Health and Safety Review of the Apopka Fire Department (AFD) on January 16, 2023. This was at your request. A draft for client review was not part of the original project proposal, but we accommodated your request and we mutually agreed to extend the project timeline.
We received your comments on the “Draft for Client Review” via email on the evening of February 1, 2023. After careful review, we have provided responses to most of the comments. Since GES was only provided a PDF version of your comments, our response is organized in a page-by-page format based on that PDF file provided."
On page two, Gannon summarizes its response to the City and the AFD
"On January 26, 2023, a 2-hour conference call was held between GES and the City of Apopka Fire Department (AFD). Present at this meeting were GES consultants Chris Gannon and Jack Krill. Stated attendees were AFD Chief Sean Wylam, Apopka City Attorney Michael Rodriguez, AFD Division Chief of Suppression John Howe, AFD Division Chief of EMS Will Sanchez, and AFD Division Chief of Training Sean Knapp. This was following an unscheduled 15-minute initial phone call from Mayor Bryan Nelson to Chris Gannon. Chief Sean Wylam, City Attorney Michael Rodriguez and City Administrator Edward Bass were stated as present.
During the 2-hour conference call, Chief Wylam, some AFD admin staff and Attorney Rodriguez expressed their concerns and comments with the draft report. GES responded with explanations, clarifications, and requested that the City of Apopka put their comments in writing and provide those to GES for review and consideration.
GES already explained many of these items during the lengthy January 26 phone call. However, the written comments received from the City of Apopka do not appear to reflect any of the verbal answers already provided by GES.
Legal Clarification: Attorney Rodriguez raised concerns about language used in the report and referenced state law throughout the response to the draft report for client review and both phone calls. It is important to note that at no time was GES instructed to form part of a legal process, or informed that we were part of an ‘ad hoc review board’ as stated by Chief Wylam. A board by definition has clearly established roles and responsibilities that we have never been advised of or involved in.
The GES proposal, agreement and start dates all precede the Duran estate legal claim. As GES was given absolutely no legal framework or direction in which to work by the city attorney at any time until January 26th. Legal counsel was not sought for a form of work that is entirely consistent with previous projects and has never been disputed to this degree.
Had GES known that every statement and professional opinion given would be subject to legal scrutiny after a draft report was provided to the client, we would have involved legal counsel and added that cost from the outset.
Chief Wylam has expressed that he ‘will not be directing the efforts of NIOSH, State Fire Marshal and GES, to ensure every voice is heard and all the fractures are exposed.’
“The very intent of hiring Gannon Emergency Solutions is looking at the departments processes and procedures to capture a holistic view of the department leading up to Austin’s accident. It is related to Austin and why we brought on their services. The intent of this type of review just by its nature will identify and make recommendations not only related to Austin’s accident, but other potential unseen hazards that pose a threat to life safety. This review creates a report with recommendations for our entire departments entire operations and policies. I must echo leave no ‘stone unturned.’”
Then on pages 4-5 GES provide a timeline of their comprehensive interaction with the City and AFD.
GES Project Timeline
Gannon closed its remarks with pushback on a comment the AFD "Fire Staff" made about its Standard Operating Guidelines:
On Page 43 of the report, The AFD "Fire Staff" makes the following comment:
"Based on review of this draft and the number of errors, inconsistencies, GES did not review Policies, SOGs, Programs, Data."
Gannon responded with this closing statement:
"Page 43, GES Review Schedule for the AFD
Review of Data Comment: GES disagrees. We thoroughly reviewed the policies, SOGs, programs, records, and data provided. GES went over all of this with AFD staff, specifically each aspect with the Division Chief of Life Safety and then the training specific items with the Division Chief of Training. Most of the AFD SOGs and programs are inadequate, ineffective, outdated, and need attention as indicated in the report.
Please make a concerted effort to review each SOG and program in place. While doing this review, please also research and review the related current standards and best practices since it appears this was not a standard part of the SOG or program development/revision process in the past. Each program and SOG should also be peer reviewed as well as provided to all AFD staff in draft form for review and comment before being finalized.
The AFD should actively train all personnel on any new or revised SOG. Please do not simply provide it to them to check the box that they received it. Ensure they read, understand, and can apply each SOG."
This is a developing story that will be updated in future editions of The Apopka Voice.
5 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
EricColeman
I expected a huge pushback from the Gannon organization from the comments as noted in the edited copy I received from the City. It appeared to me that Mayor Nelson, City Attorney Rodriguez, and Fire Chief Wylam wanted to whitewash the report in their favor at least and the most, hide it under the rug. Otherwise, hide the truth from the report the public and the poor administration we have in the City of Apopka.
Tuesday, February 14, 2023 Report this
JimNisbet
It appears Gannon is trying to do a good, thorough, and comprehensive job. I haven't read the draft report or comments, but this statement is just foolish and naïve.
"Had GES known that every statement and professional opinion given would be subject to legal scrutiny after a draft report was provided to the client, we would have involved legal counsel and added that cost from the outset."
You can't be serious. Your performing a written safety evaluation of a fire department that just had a fatal incident, and you're not aware that every single document, draft or otherwise, will come under legal scrutiny? Come on. That's bush league.
Tuesday, February 14, 2023 Report this
MamaMia
I have not read the original draft, or the disputed draft, the city returned to GES. I could have viewed them, but I didn't trust clicking on the links of those websites. I am certain they both would have been clear as mud to me, because so much of the fire operation talk is Greek to me, all those intial talk, for example: what is a SOG, etc. All I can say for certain is, there are two sides to each and every story......what surprises me in the above article is that GES got a purchase order to start the project, but there was no written contractual agreement, as GES claimed? It looks like a big bunch of red tape, but it is, what it is, and the city must move on, and move forward, as the city has other issues and departments to take care of, than be bogged down with this Gannon report of the fire department.
Tuesday, February 14, 2023 Report this
MamaMia
I listened to the city council tonight. First, I was sadden to hear Commissioner Smith speak about Virginia Jenkins passing away today. We used to see her around sometimes, but had not, in quite sometime. We sure hated to hear that, and offer prayers to her family. She was such a nice person to know. Glad to hear of former Commissioner Billie Dean's portrait forthcoming. Isadora, I know that makes you so proud....Love you, hope you are doing well.
Wednesday, February 15, 2023 Report this
MamaMia
Really Becker, really? You had to ask the city attorney his legal advice on whether you and the council could fire him, along with the city clerk, and everyone else you are trying to rid? That makes you look ridiculous! Were you so frustrated, that it sounded like to me, that your voice was cracking and it sounded like you were starting to tear up? WTH is wrong with you? It would be a fairly good city council, if you weren't on it! What, now you are gunning for the finance director lady too, reminding her that you all radified her, and complaining of her work? She stated she had not even had an introduction.... Omg...Let me say this to you, Becker....you think you are so much better, and smarter than everyone else, but newsflash, YOU AREN'T! You are not a team player, and you've no business being in political power, because you are a power freak, naristic, ego- manic, and listen to the wrong people behind the scenes that are leading you over cliff I have no confidence in you at all.
Wednesday, February 15, 2023 Report this