APOPKA, Fla. — Apopka firefighters said they need a new chief following the death of one of their own while on duty.
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Austin Duran died last year after a trailer filled with sand crushed him.
That death, and the decisions made since then, came up during a highly emotional and intense meeting Tuesday afternoon.
Commissioners cried after Duran’s father became visibly upset about the city’s response to his son’s death.
READ: Apopka firefighters to announce vote of ‘no confidence’ in fire chief
Though intense meetings have taken place surrounding the fire department, this is the first time firefighters have asked the city for help.
Fire union president Alex Klepper said the right thing to do is remove Fire Chief Sean Wylam.
Klepper said the chief never went to see Duran in the hospital, and that he hasn’t given sufficient support to the firefighter who was working on the trailer with Duran when he was killed.
READ: Safety review after death of firefighter says Apopka Fire Department is ‘dysfunctional’
A commissioner’s request to stop the meeting and have a closed-door session with city staff was shot down by the city attorney.
After the meeting, Klepper told Channel 9 that a new fire chief is essential.
“At the end of the day, what’s changed? Nothing,” he said. “And anything that has changed, any positions that have been created, we created.”
The chief said he plans to give a statement at some point during the meeting Wednesday, which was still underway as of 6 p.m.
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