Scott Titus promoted to permanent fire chief in North Port

March 30--NORTH PORT -- Scott Titus, the interim fire chief for the city of North Port since longtime chief Bill Taaffe retired in February, will keep the job permanently following a decision Friday by City Manager Peter Lear.

"Scott's professionalism throughout his career has prepared him for this leadership role," Lear said in a prepared statement. "During the past two months Scott has been able to show his leadership capabilities. I am confident he possesses the qualities the city of North Port deserves."

The decision to promote Titus came following a nationwide search conducted by Slavin Management Consultants at a cost of $23,575.

Titus was one of three finalists who met with citizens at an open house Wednesday. He has more than 25 years of service with North Port Fire Rescue after beginning as a firefighter in 1993. He has served as the deputy fire chief for the past decade.

Titus said he was honored to serve the city in the department's top leadership spot.

"I'm thankful for this opportunity," Titus said. "I fully understand the responsibility this position demands. I promise to work hard for the men and women of North Port Fire Rescue and for those they protect and serve. We have a wonderful future ahead of us."

Titus has a bachelor's degree in public safety management from Eckerd College.

He takes over a department of nearly 100 employees that currently enjoys a rating of 1 from the for-profit Insurance Service Office fire suppression ratings -- the highest possible rank.

The department had been suffering from attrition partly because of its pay scale. That is likely to change since the North Port City Commission approved a new union contract on Tuesday with Suncoast Firefighters and Paramedical Local No. 2546 of the International Association of Firefighters.

That contract establishes a new wage scale and pay plan for firefighters and firemedics based on a professional development plan, with changes in pay keyed towards education and certifications. The contract would boost starting pay from $38,646 to $45,215.

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