By Reggie Connell, Managing Editor
Wil Sanchez began his week by walking into a five-alarm fire. But no worries, he's grown accustomed to it.
Sanchez officially took over as Interim Chief of the Apopka Fire Department on Monday morning. The department is embroiled in multiple controversies and is in an ongoing negotiation with the Apopka Professional Firefighters Association to finally agree on a contract with the City.
But this isn't the first time Sanchez has stepped into a difficult situation.
Two years ago, at the 2022-23 Apopka budget hearings, Sanchez took to the podium in what appeared to be the role of a relief pitcher taking the mound for a battered starting pitcher.
"Chief (Sean) Wylam was unable to attend today's meeting," Sanchez said. He had a prior commitment. But he's briefed me and updated me on the current events, and I'll do my best to try to answer everything for you."
In his opening statement, Sanchez spoke about the issue on everyone's minds at the time - the death of Firefighter/EMT Austin Duran.
"I'd like to update everybody as far as where we're at," Sanchez said. It's been 69 days since the accident and 54 days since Austin passed away. The men and women of the Apopka Fire Department are still mourning. On their behalf, I want to thank you all for your support. We've seen it, we hear it. The men and women understand that you want to support us moving forward, so we're very thankful for that."
Commissioner Nick Nesta, during his questioning, noticed the difference between Sanchez and Wylam.
"Your presentation shows a severe disconnect from your counterpart two weeks ago," Nesta said. I heard a lot of needs tonight, and it was refreshing to hear."
Now two years later, Sanchez is back in that position, only this time for longer than one presentation.
On Friday, The Apopka Voice reported that Sanchez would begin his term as interim fire chief on Monday. On his first day, Sanchez emailed the entire department and then visited each shift to answer any questions they may have face-to-face.
In the email, Sanchez wrote:
"Good morning,
With utmost pride and sincerity, I express my deepest gratitude for the opportunity to serve alongside you and the Apopka Community as your Interim Fire Chief.
It is not lost on me that the last few years have brought us our most profound challenges and greatest adversities. We have been pushed outside of our comfort zones and forced into a reality that is our greatest nightmare as a Fire Department - losing one of our own. More than anything, my greatest hope and mission at this time is to unite us all. Our profession as firefighters requires constant communication, continuous transparency, and, most importantly, solid and authentic relationships built upon trust. To succeed together, we must be able to trust one another with our lives.
I cannot promise days without challenges or moments when we question ourselves as to why we ever chose this career to begin with. Not one of us here chose this career because it is easy. What I can promise you with absolute certainty is this - I will work alongside you, on and off duty, to build a department that fills you with pride and provides our community with the highest level of Fire and EMS service possible."
Sanchez listed six core elements he would bring to the AFD during his time as interim chief:
"As I step into the role of Interim Fire Chief, I want to share my vision for our department during this transitional period:
Open Communication and Transparency:
Open communication and transparency are the foundation of effective leadership. I encourage you to share your thoughts, ideas, and concerns with me during this transition. My door is always open, and I am here to listen and support you and our department as we move toward the future.
Teamwork and Collaboration:
Our strength lies in our unity and teamwork. I am committed to fostering an environment where every department member feels valued and heard. Together, we can overcome any challenges and achieve our shared goals.
Training and Development:
Continuous improvement is essential in our line of work. I will prioritize ongoing training and professional development opportunities for all personnel. By staying current with best practices and new technologies, we can enhance our skills and better serve our community.
Health and Safety:
The safety and well-being of each of you is of the utmost importance to me and our Administration. I will work diligently to ensure we have the necessary resources and support to maintain a safe and healthy work environment.
Community Engagement:
Building solid relationships with the community we serve is crucial. I plan to increase our community outreach efforts, promoting education while fostering trust and cooperation with our residents.
Assessment and Improvement:
I will thoroughly assess our current operations, communicate constantly with the JAG group, and move forward with identified areas where we can improve efficiency and effectiveness. Together, we will develop and implement strategies to enhance our services and achieve our mission.
I am excited about the opportunities ahead and confident that, together, we can continue to uphold the highest standards of excellence in our service to each other and the Apopka community. Thank you for your dedication, hard work, and commitment to our department. Please feel free to reach out to me directly if you have any questions, concerns, or ideas. I look forward to working with all of you and achieving great things together."
At the end of the email, Sanchez also gave the AFD several important updates:
"Department Update:
- On Friday, ISO informed us that it was time to conduct a re-survey of our fire department and community fire protection. Expect future communications regarding this process.
- The James Angle Group, consultants for the Apopka Fire Department, will update the City Council on the department's progress at the August 7th Council Meeting next week.
- The initial phase of our Strategic Plan will kick off in August, and the Department of Health will carry out the State of Florida EMS Inspection.
- NIOSH is expected to release its report on the Line Of Duty Death of our brother, Firefighter Austin Duran. The City will finalize its Fiscal Year 24/25 budget in September.
- The New AFD Station Six roof construction will commence this week."
Sanchez closed by stressing his cooperation and support for completing negotiations with the Apopka Professional Firefighters Association.
"Ultimately, I want to stress that the Collective Bargaining Agreement is a top priority for our Fire Administration and its members."
It's been a surprising and fluid couple of weeks at the AFD, with Chief Wylam announcing an October 31st retirement date, only to resign as chief a week later. But in the time Sanchez has been at the helm, he has struck all the right chords.
His email to the department, visits to the stations, updates on important events, and endorsement of a quick settlement to negotiations between the City and the Apopka Professional Firefighters Association are exactly what was called for in this chaotic period.
Only time will tell if his leadership will extend beyond this 90 days in the interim post.
