Please interview the ones who have left in the last 8-10 years. You will have people who have left for much greener pastures ( other departments) or some that were just over them mental stress and started their own business due to the lack of leadership from certain battalion chiefs all the way up to administrative chiefs! Usually the squeaky wheel gets the grease not there the squeaky wheel gets the bullseye and you can’t shake it off! I’m really surprised that some of the people in leadership can walk straight up due to being spineless when it comes to standing up and doing right by the men and women that serve under their leadership ( and I use leadership loosely)
It is a shame that a county would pay their firefighters and EMTs starting pay the same as their park and grounds keepers that require only the knowledge is how to operate a lawnmower and a rake. Where as our firefighters require extensive training and state board testing. And here we have a fire chief making over 200k we as clay county residents should be applauded at this and make our county commissioners held accountable for this
"First, thank you to Susan Armstrong and Clay News & Views for giving voice to what many have carried quietly for too long. The surveys, the stories of moldy stations, supply shortages, favoritism, and the crushing weight of organizational stress aren't just complaints—they're cries from people who run toward danger every shift, yet feel abandoned by their own command structure. As someone outside the department but familiar with the toll first-responder life takes (trauma, sleep deprivation, moral injury, and the unique pain of feeling unsupported by leadership), I read this with grief, not glee.
To Chiefs Mock, Motes, Boree, LeRoy, and the broader leadership team: This isn't about destroying reputations or celebrating a 'gotcha' moment. It's an opportunity—if received with humility—to see clearly what the people you've been called to lead are experiencing. The numbers are stark (84% lacking confidence in clear leadership, widespread feelings of unfairness and hostility), but even more telling are the human details: crews sleeping in contaminated air, begging hospitals for basics, watching favorites skate while others face harsh consequences. These erode trust like acid.
My prayer is that you would each take time—privately and honestly—to examine your hearts. Not defensively ('but we've done X good things'), but openly: Where have decisions, even unintentional ones, contributed to a culture where crews feel bullied, overlooked, or unsafe? Repentance isn't weakness; it's strength. It looks like acknowledging harm (even systemic harm), seeking forgiveness from those wounded, and committing to concrete change—not just PR spins or more 'sunshine' posts, but real actions: prioritizing safety gear and station remediation, ensuring fair discipline, listening without retaliation, expanding mental health support, and perhaps stepping aside if staying perpetuates the divide.
The crews deserve leaders who model the same courage they show on calls. Restoration starts when those in authority say, 'We hear you. We own our part. We're turning toward healing.' That one step could begin dismantling the wall brick by brick.
To the firefighters and EMS personnel still showing up despite the pain: Your service matters immensely. You're not alone in this frustration, and your integrity in continuing to protect the community while calling for better is heroic.
May truth lead to transformation, not just exposure. Praying for softened hearts, renewed trust, and a department where everyone—from chief to probie—feels valued and supported."
Well written article Susan. For whatever it's worth, LeRoy has always been an advocate for CCFR and the personnel that work there. This is no defense, but that is a thankless job and he is a good man. As Scott mentioned in the comments, the growth (40% population increase in 20 years) mixed with the lack of planning is starting to show in Clay County.
The county has had growing pains. They got here on the backs of the original employees. They pay them well now however not in the past. They promised to take care of the retirees but have failed. This is above Motes position.
Susie is such a treasure. Personally, I find it reprehensible that anyone in local and state government makes (notice I did not say "earns") more than the governor. I'd like to see our pretend charter review commission address this. I want to vote on capping all local salaries below that of the governor but the current CRC is more interested in doubling or even tripling the salaries of five people at at time when we may be looking at a tax cut which would affect essential services. The watchword is Greed.
How did Mock not get fired or disciplined after this? https://youtu.be/ark6NnE7X-Y?si=1oQm-WUEH3IJ35Jf
Please interview the ones who have left in the last 8-10 years. You will have people who have left for much greener pastures ( other departments) or some that were just over them mental stress and started their own business due to the lack of leadership from certain battalion chiefs all the way up to administrative chiefs! Usually the squeaky wheel gets the grease not there the squeaky wheel gets the bullseye and you can’t shake it off! I’m really surprised that some of the people in leadership can walk straight up due to being spineless when it comes to standing up and doing right by the men and women that serve under their leadership ( and I use leadership loosely)
It is a shame that a county would pay their firefighters and EMTs starting pay the same as their park and grounds keepers that require only the knowledge is how to operate a lawnmower and a rake. Where as our firefighters require extensive training and state board testing. And here we have a fire chief making over 200k we as clay county residents should be applauded at this and make our county commissioners held accountable for this
"First, thank you to Susan Armstrong and Clay News & Views for giving voice to what many have carried quietly for too long. The surveys, the stories of moldy stations, supply shortages, favoritism, and the crushing weight of organizational stress aren't just complaints—they're cries from people who run toward danger every shift, yet feel abandoned by their own command structure. As someone outside the department but familiar with the toll first-responder life takes (trauma, sleep deprivation, moral injury, and the unique pain of feeling unsupported by leadership), I read this with grief, not glee.
To Chiefs Mock, Motes, Boree, LeRoy, and the broader leadership team: This isn't about destroying reputations or celebrating a 'gotcha' moment. It's an opportunity—if received with humility—to see clearly what the people you've been called to lead are experiencing. The numbers are stark (84% lacking confidence in clear leadership, widespread feelings of unfairness and hostility), but even more telling are the human details: crews sleeping in contaminated air, begging hospitals for basics, watching favorites skate while others face harsh consequences. These erode trust like acid.
My prayer is that you would each take time—privately and honestly—to examine your hearts. Not defensively ('but we've done X good things'), but openly: Where have decisions, even unintentional ones, contributed to a culture where crews feel bullied, overlooked, or unsafe? Repentance isn't weakness; it's strength. It looks like acknowledging harm (even systemic harm), seeking forgiveness from those wounded, and committing to concrete change—not just PR spins or more 'sunshine' posts, but real actions: prioritizing safety gear and station remediation, ensuring fair discipline, listening without retaliation, expanding mental health support, and perhaps stepping aside if staying perpetuates the divide.
The crews deserve leaders who model the same courage they show on calls. Restoration starts when those in authority say, 'We hear you. We own our part. We're turning toward healing.' That one step could begin dismantling the wall brick by brick.
To the firefighters and EMS personnel still showing up despite the pain: Your service matters immensely. You're not alone in this frustration, and your integrity in continuing to protect the community while calling for better is heroic.
May truth lead to transformation, not just exposure. Praying for softened hearts, renewed trust, and a department where everyone—from chief to probie—feels valued and supported."
Well written article Susan. For whatever it's worth, LeRoy has always been an advocate for CCFR and the personnel that work there. This is no defense, but that is a thankless job and he is a good man. As Scott mentioned in the comments, the growth (40% population increase in 20 years) mixed with the lack of planning is starting to show in Clay County.
The county has had growing pains. They got here on the backs of the original employees. They pay them well now however not in the past. They promised to take care of the retirees but have failed. This is above Motes position.
Susie is such a treasure. Personally, I find it reprehensible that anyone in local and state government makes (notice I did not say "earns") more than the governor. I'd like to see our pretend charter review commission address this. I want to vote on capping all local salaries below that of the governor but the current CRC is more interested in doubling or even tripling the salaries of five people at at time when we may be looking at a tax cut which would affect essential services. The watchword is Greed.