Fire Chief Virgil Fernandez Leads the Nation to Diversity

Miami Beach Fire Chief Virgil Fernandez

Miami Beach Fire Chief Virgil Fernandez
Miami Beach Fire Chief Virgil Fernandez

Joins 14 of the Finest Fire Chiefs to Discuss the Importance of Inclusiveness

When it comes to fire hazard and emergency response leaders, Miami Beach Fire Chief Virgil Fernandez is acclaimed for innovation in fire protocol and education. Now, the city’s very own is also being recognized for helping pave the path to diversity.

The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) recently selected Chief Fernandez for the Diversity Executive Leadership Program (iDELP) in response to his successful efforts addressing inclusiveness and recognizing the impact those challenges have on the fire and emergency service community.

Under Chief Fernandez’s leadership, the Miami Beach Fire Department has made significant strides in diversity, including Firefighter Digna Abello’s promotion to chief of training in 2014, which made her the first female firefighter to reach the rank of a division chief in the history of Miami Beach Fire. A year later, Chief Fernandez promoted Darryl Bell to the command staff position of division chief of support services — making him the first African American to rise within the ranks of the department to assume this leadership role.

“Chief Fernandez has made a name for our city as a leader in fire protection and prevention,” expressed City Manager Jimmy L. Morales. “We’re also proud to see his management efforts are not only recognized here at home, but on a national stage where he can inspire others to follow suit.”

In its inaugural year, iDELP aims to provide current and future leaders the opportunity to come together to explore, learn and develop solutions to present and emerging challenges in regards to diversity. Chief Fernandez will work alongside 14 other renowned fire service chiefs and public figures sharing ideas that foster a diverse and inclusive fire emergency workforce in their departments – creating a stronger and safer fire community across the nation.


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3 COMMENTS

  1. Division Chief Juan Meizoso I fear is corrupt.He said he put a stop order violation on 3101 Indian Creek Drive and no such record exists. I triple checked. Wow! I outted him to him via email + the FBI and came back two hours later to my unit to find no mailbox, changed entrance locks, the lobby bldg alarm on, and my unit’s locks were changed. There were old violations and for the record years of bldg floods were also never recorded. Sigh! And Investigator Alfonso and staff at office ask same questions over and over and don’t understand clear questions. This Alfonso and Pedro who oversee my bldg’s construction plan currently concern me because they okeyed it with Just M. Not knowing it ain’t vacant and they allowed it with prior violations. The FBI cleaned out many bad public servants before. I came home after being lied to To being harrased more. Not Okay. I reported this to the FBI.

  2. Patient-focused and customer-centered, AMR’s national reach and extensive experience facilitate the delivery of a wide range of emergency and home healthcare services to communities nationwide.

  3. There is no better chief than Virgil Fernandez. With a heart of gold he always shines and reflects the love a firefighter.

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