2014-28494 Reso RESOLUTION NO. 2014-28494
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, CONSENTING TO THE
APPOINTMENT OF VIRGILIO FERNANDEZ AS THE FIRE CHIEF AND
FIRE MARSHAL FOR THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH.
WHEREAS, the City Manager has appointed Virgilio Fernandez as the Fire Chief
and Fire Marshal for the City of Miami Beach; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Article IV, Section 4.02, of the City of Miami Beach
Charter, as well as Section 2-3 of the City Code, the City Manager has power to appoint
directors of the City departments with the consent of the Mayor and the City
Commission; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and the City Commission wish to consent to and confirm
the appointment of Virgilio Fernandez as the Fire Chief and Fire Marshal for the City of
Miami Beach.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED THAT THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, consent to and confirm
the appointment of Virgilio Fernandez as the Fire Chief and Fire Marshal for the City of
Miami Beach.
PASSED and ADOPTED this day of A- 64442 2014.
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PHILIP W
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APPROVED AS TO
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COMMISSION ITEM SUMMARY
Condensed Title:
Consenting to the appointment of Virgilio Fernandez as the Fire Chief and Fire Marshal for the City of
Miami Beach.
Key Intended Outcome Supported:
Increase community satisfaction with City government; maximize efficient delivery of services; ensure
expenditure trends are sustainable over the long term
Supporting Data (Surveys, Environmental Scan, etc.): N/A
Item Summary/Recommendation:
As a result me the constantly assessing and reassessing how we deliver services, and my commitment to
ensuring that our residents, businesses and visitors continue to receive the highest levels of services, I have
determined that it is in the organization's best interest to reestablish the leadership of the City's Fire
Department.
In doing so, I have appointed Virgilio Fernandez as the City's Fire Chief and Fire Marshal effective February
24, 2014. Chief Virgilio Fernandez has served for 8 '/2 years as the Fire Chief and Fire Marshal of the City of
Hollywood, Florida, overseeing a department with 223 sworn firefighters plus 41 full-time civilian positions.
He also oversees the Ocean Rescue unit, which includes 26 full-time lifeguards and 33 part-time lifeguards.
Before joining Hollywood in 2005, Virgil spent 23 years with the City of Miami Department of Fire-Rescue,
where he rose to the rank of Assistant Fire Chief. I have personally known Chief Fernandez for nearly 20
years and can attest to his leadership and character.
The decision to name a new chief is not a criticism of the past nor of Chief Otero's tenure. Rather, it is a
vision for what I think this department can achieve. By bringing in someone with some outside perspective
and experience at one of the finest departments in the state, we can re-examine our policies and procedures
and implement new training and leadership development that will move this department rapidly forward.
Chief Fernandez also brings his training and experience as the Fire Marshal at both Miami and Hollywood,
and can help address the many issues identified in our Fire Prevention Department over the years. The goal
is to achieve the highest level of excellence in our Fire and Ocean Rescue services.
Pursuant to the requirements of Article IV, Section 4.02 of the City Charter, it is recommended that the Mayor
and the City Commission adopt the attached resolution consenting to and confirming Virgilio Fernandez, as
the Fire Chief and Fire Marshal for the City of Miami Beach.
Advisory Board Recommendation:
N/A
Financial Information:
Source of Amount Account Approved
Funds: 1
2
3
4
OBPI Total
Financial Impact Summary:
City Clerk's Office Legislative Tracking:
Sylvia Crespo-Tabak, Human Resources
Sign-Offs:
Department Director Assistant City anager City M n Alp er
SCT KGB JLM
TAAGENDA\2014\February\V Fernandez\V Fernandez Summary.docx
Agenda Item
Date
NAIAMI BEACH
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive,Miami Beach, Florida 33139,www.miamibeachfl.gov
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor Philip Levine and Mem Ders of City Commission
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City M
DATE: February 12, 2014
SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION OF THE MA OR AND THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, CONSENTING TO THE APPOINTMENT
OF VIRGILIO FERNANDEZ AS THE FIRE CHIEF AND FIRE MARSHAL FOR
THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA.
ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDATION
Pursuant to the requirements of Article IV, Section 4.02 of the City Charter, it is
recommended that the Mayor and the City Commission adopt the attached resolution
consenting and confirming Virgilio Fernandez as the Fire Chief and Fire Marshal for the
City of Miami Beach, Florida.
BACKGROUND
I began my tenure as City Manager for the City of Miami Beach in April 2013, with a
strong commitment to ensuring that our residents, businesses and visitors continue to
receive the highest levels of services. While I have the pleasure of serving as your City
Manager, I continue to evaluate the leadership needs in our organization and have
determined that it is in the City's best interest to reorganize the Fire Department by
appointing a new Chief who will bring a fresh perspective to the organization.
Chief Virgilio Fernandez served for 8 '/2 years as the Fire Chief and Fire Marshal of the
City of Hollywood, Florida, overseeing a department with 223 sworn firefighters plus 41
full-time civilian positions. He also oversees the Ocean Rescue unit, which includes 26
full-time and 33 part-time lifeguards. Before joining Hollywood in 2005, he spent 23
years with the City of Miami Department of Fire-Rescue, where he rose to the rank of
Assistant Fire Chief. I have personally known Chief Fernandez for nearly 20 years and
can attest to his leadership and character.
This decision is not a criticism of Chief Otero's tenure. Rather, it is an action taken in
line with the vision I have of what the department can achieve. Someone with the
experience acquired at one of the finest departments in the state, will have a different
perspective as we re-examine policies and procedures and implement new training and
leadership development to move the department forward.
Chief Fernandez also brings his training and experience as Fire Marshal at b oth Miami
and Hollywood, which will help address the issues identified in our Fire Prevention
Department over the years. The goal is to achieve the highest level of excellence in our
Fire and Ocean Rescue services.
City Commission Memorandum—Consenting and Confirming Virgilio Fernandez Fire Chief and Marshal
February 12,2014
Page 2 of 2
Current Chief, Javier Otero, has agreed to stay on until Chief Fernandez arrives and to
overlap for a couple of weeks to assist in the transition. Afterward, he will return to the
rank of Captain, as is his right pursuant to the City's civil service system, for the
remainder of his time in the DROP. I want to thank him for his continued service to the
City.
CONCLUSION
Pursuant to the requirements of Article IV, Section 4.02, of the City Charter, it is
recommended that the Mayor and City Commission adopt the resolution consenting and
confirming Virgilio Fernandez as the Fire Chief and Fire Marshal for the City of Miami
Beach lorida, effective February 24, 2014.
JLM/ /SC-T/CMG
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MIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
State of Florida
County of Miami-Dade
I, Virgilio Fernandez, a citizen of the State of Florida and of the United States of
America, and being employed by or an officer of the City of Miami Beach and a
recipient of public funds as such employee or officer, do hereby solemnly swear or
affirm that I will support the Constitution of the United States and of the tate of
Florida; and that I will well and faithfully perform the duties of Fire Ch' and Fire
Marshal of the City of Miami Beach, effective February 24, 2014. f
t
t g ilio Fernandez
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 261h day of February, 2014
Rafael E. Granado, Esq.
C Clerk
INCORP ORATED.
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