- March 27, 2024
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The upheaval at the Flagler Beach Fire Department continues: Robert Creal will not serve as its acting chief after all, city officials said Monday.
Creal was appointed as acting chief late last week after the State Attorney’s Office announced that it will pursue a misdemeanor charge of obstruction of justice against Robert Pace, who at the time was the department’s acting chief.
But Creal stepped down from the position over the weekend, citing health issues. Now, City Manager Bruce Campbell will handle the administrative needs of the fire department, and three emergency medical technician/firefighters will lead shifts on a rotating 24-hour basis.
The leaders — Michael Snyder, David Kennedy and Stephen Cox — are all certified to command a fire scene and “are capable of managing any emergency situation,” Campbell said in a memo to Flagler Beach elected officials.
Campbell said the current arrangement will not compromise the safety of Flagler Beach residents as the department searches for a new chief.
The trouble with the Fire Department began in February, when the city fired former chief Martin Roberts for responding to emergency calls after consuming alcohol. Roberts’ termination was one of five that arose from alcohol-related accusations.
Pace was then named acting chief. Shortly afterward, however, he was accused of tampering with evidence, a felony, and obstruction of justice, a misdemeanor, for allegedly falsifying the time sheets of a volunteer who was serving at the department as terms of his probation. When Pace learned that he was suspected of falsifying the timesheets, he destroyed video surveillance footage that incriminated him, a sworn written complaint alleges.
However, the state on July 25 announced that it will not prosecute Pace for the felony charge, and instead will pursue a conviction only on the misdemeanor charge. That same day, Pace was placed on paid administrative leave until the legal matter is resolved.