R7A-Consent Appointment Of Virgilio Fernandez As Fire Chief And Fire Marshal ForCOMMISSION 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
18, 2014. Chief Virgilio Fernandez has served for 8 Y:z 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 rescue 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 Hernan D. Cardena, as
the Director of the Code Compliance Department for the City of Miami Beach.
Advisory Board Recommendation:
I N/A
Financial Information:
Source of Amount
Funds: 1
D 2
3
4
OBPI Total
Financial Impact Summary:
Ci Clerk's Office Le islative Trackin
Sylvia Crespo-Tabak, Human Resources
Si n-Offs:
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Account Approved
Agenda Item R7 A
Date i-1 l-l'f
~ MIAMI BEACH
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor Philip Levine and Members f the City
DATE: February 12, 2014
SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYO AND THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH 1 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 of our
organization. As a result, I have determined that it is in the City's best interest to
reestablish the leadership in the Miami Beach Fire Department by appointing a
new Fire Chief who is able to provide an fresh perspective to the organization.
Chief Virgilio Fernandez has served for 8 % 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
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City Commission Memorandum -Consenting and Confirming Virgilio Fernandez Fire Chief and Marshal
February 12, 2014
Page 2 of 2
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 rescue
and ocean rescue services.
Our 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. Chief
Otero will then 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 continuing 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,11~rida, effective February 24, 2014.
JLM/Ki~sc-i\@
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723
RESOLUTION TO BE SUBMITTED
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