PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — Palm Beach County Fire Rescue's chief administrator has a new job.
Chief Michael Mackey was put in charge of the department in January of 2018 after its former chief was forced to resign over his handling of sexual harassment complaints.
Right after being promoted last January, Chief Michael Mackey told Contact 5 he would retire in 14 months, having already entered the county's DROP program.
A Palm Beach County spokesperson tells WPTV that Mackey will soon be the new chief of the Lansing, Michigan Fire Department.
Lansing’s new fire chief comes from Palm Beach County https://t.co/3VVmd3t7Db
— Lansing State Journal (@LSJNews) January 14, 2019
Mackey has been with Palm Beach County Fire Rescue for more than 30 years.
He took over for former chief Jeff Collins one year ago after sources tell Contact 5 Collins was pushed out over his handling of harassment and discrimination complaints, as well as Contact 5's reporting on it.
Mackey took over a department hit by several lawsuits during Collins' time in charge, alleging discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
Mackey will start his new job as Lansing's chief in April.
Meanwhile, the county tells Contact 5 they posted an opening for Mackey's fire rescue administrator position back on Oct. 15.
The application process closed Nov. 16. WPTV is waiting for records about who applied for the position.
