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To the members of our great Miramar community, from the residents, businesses, and fellow City employees to the many visitors of our beautiful City, it is my distinct honor to have been given the opportunity to lead the dedicated men and women of Miramar Fire-Rescue.
When I entered the fire service many years ago, I was told that being a firefighter allowed me a very special membership into a unique family. A family of brave, compassionate, honorable, and fearless warriors that embodied the mantle of trust bestowed upon us by those we serve; a family that transcended localities and placed the safety of others ahead of their own wellbeing.
I have never forgotten these words and today, I stand at the ready, as part of this great Miramar family, dedicated and committed to the service and wellbeing of our great city. It is my commitment to meet our community’s expectations through excellence in service and public safety. We will uphold the mission, vision, and value of the Miramar Fire-Rescue Department through duty, respect, and integrity.
Our future is bright, and as an organization we are prepared for the path to come, a path of choice and determination. Choosing to look forward with hope, compassion, and enthusiasm, determined to effect change for the betterment of our service.
Winston Churchill once said, “To improve is to change, to be perfect is to change often”.
I thank you and look forward to our future together.
Sincerely,
Chief Ray Perez
Miramar Fire-Rescue Department
About Our Fire-Rescue Chief, Ray Perez:
Chief Ray Perez is a highly accomplished and decorated leader of the fire service bringing a distinguished 37-year career to his appointment. During his tenure, he has been awarded multiple lifesaving awards, distinguished service awards and administrative excellence awards. He brings many technical skills to the position at Instructor rated level including Incident Command, EMS, Special Operations, Technical Rescue, Fire Suppression, HazMat, Health & Safety, Strategic Planning, Fire Training, Marine Operations, Fire & Explosives Investigations, Officer Training and Labor Relations. His accomplished career began with the City of Hialeah in Miami Dade County serving for 28 years. While in Miami Dade, he was instrumental in creating numerous life safety programs responsible for the reduction of fires, injuries, and property loss. He served as President of The Florida Chief Officers of Miami-Dade Association and mentored many new Chief Officers. In 2015 Chief Perez received the “Florida Fire Marshal of the Year” designation by the Florida Governor for his innovative and progressive leadership with the Miramar Fire Rescue Department, which he has been serving since 2014.
As a Senior Fire Chief Officer, he has attained a wide breadth of knowledge in the administration and operation of municipal government. Chief Perez holds a Master of Business Administration and Master of Human Resources Management from Columbia University, a bachelor’s degree in Leadership from St. Thomas University and dual Associates in Fire Science and Nursing. He is also a graduate of Florida International University Strategic Management Academy. As a public administrator, his policies have been accepted and are often benchmarked as the standard for the Fire industry by other municipalities and state agencies. His experience includes the direction and management of all Hazard Urban Municipal Operations and Emergency Services delivery as well as strategic re-organization of processes and personnel, building construction, revenue enhancement, grants administration, and community service programs.
Chief Perez holds numerous National and State certifications to include: NFPA Certified Fire Protection Specialist, Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator, Firefighter, Fire Marshal, Police firearms Instructor, Paramedic, Registered Nurse, Fire Service Instructor III, Certified General Contractor, Public Safety Dive Master Trainer. A lifelong martial artist he holds the rank of 7th degree black belt and the classifications of Judge and Referee for the World Karate Federation. Chief Perez is also a member of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the Building Officials Association of Florida (BOAF), the Florida Fire Chiefs Association (FFCA), the Florida Fire Marshals Association, the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI), and the Fire Chiefs Association of Broward County (FCABC).
