“Some posit Chief Watts is either not as committed to diversity as he travels the community asserting, or he is not ready or capable of making the courageous decisions required for the job as Chief of St. Pete Fire Rescue,” Dr. Goliath Davis.”
Goliath J. Davis, III, Ph.D. | Contributor
Fire Chief Keith Watts
ST PETERSBURG — The title of this article is attributable to questions posed by members of the community accustomed to dynamic, fearless leadership by St. Pete African-American icons who spoke loudly and acted boldly against injustice, and advocated without apology for social justice, human rights, equality and diversity. It is an outgrowth of the recent deliberations regarding the $1.1 billion Budget Proposal submitted by the mayor’s office to the city council for approval.
Citizens and an elected official voiced dissatisfaction over several proposed budget cuts ranging from public safety to youth programs. Fire Chief Keith Watts, with support from the president of the fire union, Richard Pauley, proposed cutting funds for the replacement of firefighter bunker gear, one fire public information officer, and five fire cadets. Councilmember Gina Driscoll opposed the cuts.
It is not lost on some in the community that Chief Watts and the previous fire public information officer were embroiled in a major disagreement before her departure. Controversy arose over whether Chief Watt could deliver a simple speech regarding a department initiative and handle the question-and-answer segment without having subordinates raise and lower flash cards for him to read in the back of the room.
Individuals on both sides of Central Avenue expressed major concern over the recommendation not to replace firefighter bunker gear, the protective clothing they wear into fires. Firefighters receive two sets of bunker gear. The equipment has a 10-year life cycle. There is a bunker gear replacement fund, and the replacement cycle begins in year five to facilitate the replacement process and ensure compliance with safety guidelines. Chief Watts stated that the replacement was not necessary during this cycle, and the union president agreed. The operative question for the chief and the president is why? Why risk injury to a firefighter by delaying the replacement, and why incur what may result in higher replacement costs based on the delay? Additionally, can one guarantee funds will be available when the decision is made to make the purchase?
Given the recent concerns expressed when Chief Watts promoted 12 firefighters, none of whom were Black, why did he recommend eliminating five fire cadet positions when Mayor Ken Welch reported that Watts’ plan was to expand minority recruitment through the cadet program? He also cited a special recruitment night at Lakewood High School for that purpose.
Ironically, Chief Watts’ reported message to the council is “the department’s focus has shifted.” According to Watts, the department wants experienced firefighters and cadets are not experienced. He notes cadets must be trained, and the department pays for their training and certification. Individuals familiar with public safety understand that cadet programs are implemented to recruit, hire, and train individuals who are typically homegrown, lack the financial resources to pay their way through an academy, and may be members of a special group needed to diversify the ranks.
Additionally, there is not a plethora of trained Black fighters waiting around to be hired by St. Pete Fire Rescue. Therefore, some posit Chief Watts is either not as committed to diversity as he travels the community asserting, or he is not ready or capable of making the courageous decisions required for the job as Chief of St. Pete Fire Rescue. He has yet to write a plan or present his vision for the department to the community. The cadet class that Mayor Welch indicated would be presented in July only contained one Black male.
Chief Watts is standing on the shoulders of Public Safety icons Don McRae, Hank Ashwood, Sr., the SPFD Black Pioneers and a host of other community activists and firefighters who paved the way for his ascension. Yet, he appears to lack the commitment and courage to move the organization forward. His predecessor did more.
Mayor Welch fondly notes that African Americans lead the City of St. Petersburg in the three top leadership positions: chief executive, police chief and fire chief. The people voted for the mayor, former Mayor Rick Kriseman appointed Police Chief Holloway; Kriseman brought Watts to the city, and Welch appointed him as fire chief. Watts appointed or promoted who? Oh yeah, 12 white firefighters. He has yet to make a bold, courageous move despite the fact that there is talent available. Thus, the question so many are asking: “Is he a competent, courageous leader or merely a figurehead benefiting from the hard work and sacrifices of others?”
Dr. Goliath Davis is a former St. Petersburg police chief and deputy mayor who advocates for education in Pinellas County, focusing on Black student achievement.
