Resolution 2024-33153 RESOLUTION NO. 2024-33153
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, CONSENTING TO THE APPOINTMENT OF
DIGNA ABELLO, AS THE FIRE CHIEF OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH.
WHEREAS, public safety is central to the management and operations of the City of Miami
Beach (the "City"); and
WHEREAS, after serving more than 10 years, Fire Chief Virgil Fernandez is stepping
down from his role as Fire Chief with the City on July 1, 2024; and
WHEREAS, during Chief Fernandez's tenure, his most impactful accomplishment has
been to cultivate a solid leadership team and develop an internal succession plan to ensure the
continued success and continuity of the Miami Beach Fire Department; and
WHEREAS,the Interim City Manager has appointed Digna Abello, the current Deputy Fire
Chief since 2020, as the Fire Chief for the City; and
WHEREAS, Chief Abello will proudly serve as the first woman named Fire Chief in Miami
Beach and Miami-Dade County history; and
WHEREAS, Chief Abello has over 19 years of service with the Miami Beach Fire
Department, rising through the ranks during her tenure; and
WHEREAS, Chief Abello excelled in her role as Lieutenant with a focus on recruitment
and administration; and
WHEREAS, Chief Abello later excelled as Division Chief of Support Services, Division
Chief of Training, and Division Chief of Rescue, three (3) major divisions within the Department;
and
WHEREAS, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Chief Abello directed the Department's
comprehensive response strategy, including the development of standard operating procedures
and collaboration with health departments; and
WHEREAS, Chief Abello successfully established a vaccination program that inoculated
over 13,000 vulnerable residents, ensuring community well-being and safety; and
WHEREAS, Chief Abello earned a bachelor's degree in emergency management from
Barry University; and
WHEREAS, Chief Abello holds numerous certifications, including certified Fire Inspector,
Fire Officer, Fire Instructor, National Fire Academy Leadership Certification, Incident Command
System Certification, and Accreditation Manager from the Commission on Fire Accreditation
International (CFAI); and
WHEREAS, to allow for the appropriate transition and continuity within our Fire
Department, this appointment will become effective July 1, 2024; and
WHEREAS, Chief Fernandez will serve as a Special Advisor to Chief Abello to ensure a
smooth and seamless transition through September 1, 2024, his retirement date; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission wish to consent to the appointment of Digna
Abello as the Fire Chief for the City of Miami Beach, Florida.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, hereby consent to the appointment
of Digna Abello as the Fire Chief for the City of Miami Beach.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this26 day of June 2024.
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MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Rickelle Williams, Interim City Manager
DATE: June 26, 2024
TITLE: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, CONSENTING TO THE APPOINTMENT OF DIGNA
ABELLO, AS THE FIRE CHIEF OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH.
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 to the
appointment of Digna Abello, as Fire Chief for the City of Miami Beach (the "City").
BACKGROUND/HISTORY
After more than ten (10) years with the Miami Beach Fire Department and over 42 years in the
fire service, Chief Virgil Fernandez is retiring effective July 1, 2024. During his tenure, his most
impactful accomplishment has been to cultivate a solid leadership team and develop an internal
succession plan to ensure the continued success and continuity of the Department.
Digna Abello began her career with the City as a Firefighter in January 2005, over 19 years
ago. Her skills, competence, and willingness to sacrifice and contribute propelled her, first to the
rank of Lieutenant with a focus on recruitment and administration. She later excelled as Division
Chief of Support Services, Division Chief of Training, and Division Chief of Rescue, three (3)
major divisions within the Department. Chief Abello has served in her current role as Deputy
Chief of Administration since 2020 and has been at the forefront of all significant Department
matters alongside Chief Fernandez.
Some of Chief Abello's recent accomplishments were during the COVID-19 pandemic where she
directed the Department's comprehensive response strategy, including the development of
standard operating procedures and collaboration with health departments. Chief Abello
successfully established a vaccination program that inoculated over 13,000 vulnerable residents,
ensuring community well-being and safety. She spearheaded two (2) rigorous accreditation
cycles consecutively yielding the prestigious Insurance Service Office(ISO)Class 1 rating. Under
her direct supervision as Deputy Chief of Administration, Chief Abello has provided leadership
over the Public Safety Communications Unit, one of only thirteen (13) in the world to hold triple
accreditation from the International Academy of Emergency Dispatchers.
Chief Abello earned a bachelor's degree in emergency management from Barry University. She
holds numerous certifications, including certified Fire Inspector, Fire Officer, Fire Instructor,
National Fire Academy Leadership Certification, Incident Command System Certification, and
Accreditation Manager from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI).
The Miami Beach Fire Department is privileged to have several exceptional and qualified
command staff members with a passion for service. In anticipation to Chief Fernandez's
retirement, and as a part of my duty as Interim City Manager, I have carefully evaluated the
operational functions and staffing composition of the Department, including meeting with each
member of the command staff to identify opportunities and discuss the vision for the future. What
came as no surprise to me during these discussions was the undeniable, unequivocal, and
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unanimous support for Deputy Fire Chief Digna Abello to become our next Fire Chief.
In consideration of the foregoing, and with the consent of the Mayor and City Commission on
June 26, 2024, it is my honor to appoint Chief Digna Abello as the first woman named Fire Chief
in Miami Beach and Miami-Dade County history. This appointment will become effective July 1,
2024, and to ensure a smooth transition, I have asked Chief Fernandez to serve as a Special
Advisor to the new Chief through September 1, 2024, his retirement date.
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