Fire Rescue

The City of Miami Department of Fire-Rescue serves the community with the highest level of professionalism, customer service, and responsiveness by providing effective and efficient fire prevention, fire suppression, disaster management, emergency medical care and other essential services to save lives and protect property. 

Department Head

Joe Zahlralban.jpg

Joseph F. Zahralban, Fire Chief

MESSAGE FROM THE FIRE CHIEF

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the City of Miami Department of Fire- Rescue Website; a valuable resource communicating information to residents and visitors of the City of Miami.

The City of Miami Fire Rescue is a department that serves the community with the highest level of integrity and professionalism. Although the department was said to have started as a volunteer organization in 1838, we value the history and tradition that has been an integral part of our community pioneered by our past leadership. With a strong foundation that serves as a platform for innovative ideas, our diverse department of 753 members have committed to tackling the challenges and promoting preparedness while safeguarding the community.

As you visit our website you will find information about the department as well as emergency services and educational programs we provide.  Resourceful management can be seen throughout our department which include the following divisions:

  • Emergency Response
  • Emergency Medical Services
  • Marine Operations
  • Communications
  • Logistics, Management and Technical Services
  • Training, Fire Prevention and Education
  • Emergency Management and Homeland Security

The City of Miami Fire Rescue has achieved the coveted status of a “Class 1 Fire Department, recognizing the hard work and dedication towards building a safer community. We look to the future with optimism and assurance that we stand ready to serve our community providing “Excellence through Service”.

Thank you for visiting our website.

Joseph F. Zahralban,
Fire Chief

 

Most fire permits, inspections, reports, and more are managed by the Fire Prevention Bureau.  Here, you'll find services like Standalone Fire Permits, Sub-Permits, Hydrant Flows, and more.

Visit Fire Prevention Bureau Page

If you need a commercial building inspection for a smoke test, generator tests, fire alarms, or other fire need outside of normal business hours, you can request this inspection. 

Get an After Hours Fire Inspection

 

Office of the Fire Chief

Fire Chief
Joseph Zahralban

Contact Information
Department of Fire-Rescue
1151 NW 7th Street
Miami, Florida 33136

The Office of the Fire Chief manages and coordinates all administrative and operational functions of the Department. This office’s primary responsibilities include developing standards and methods to improve Fire safety and resiliency by developing policies and procedures for the department.

Deputy Chief of Operations

Deputy Chief
Robert Hevia

Contact Information
Department of Fire-Rescue
1151 NW 7th Street
Miami, Florida 33136

The Chief of Operations serves as a member of the Department’s top management team. Under his span of control is the Emergency Management, Emergency Response, Special Operations, Communications and Training.  This group has general charge of the front-line functions of fire suppression and rescue and hazard mitigations along with the training of all Fire Department members.

Emergency Response Division

Assistant Fire Chief
Scott Dean

Contact Information
Department of Fire-Rescue
1151 NW 7th Street
Miami, Florida 33136

The Emergency Response Division is the largest and most visible division of the Miami Department of Fire Rescue.  Our highly trained personnel protect both life and property 24 hours/day, 7 days a week and respond to any incident within the City of Miami and neighboring areas.  The Emergency Response Division safeguards the residents and visitors of the City of Miami by being prepared to handle all types of medical emergencies, fires, natural or man-made disasters and hazardous conditions. 

 

 

Communication Division

Assistant Fire Chief
Niorge Aragon

Contact Information
Department of Fire-Rescue
400 NW 2nd Avenue
Miami, Florida 33128

The Communications Division is responsible for areas that support and contribute to the delivery of emergency services through a vast and comprehensive network of emergency dispatchers, Information Technology specialist, and support personnel.

Special Operations Division 

Assistant Fire Chief
Christopher Diaz

Contact Information
Department of Fire-Rescue
1151 NW 7th Street
Miami, Florida 33136

The role of the Special Operations Division is to aid victims in the most complex of emergencies and offer a comprehensive all-hazards level of service in support of the Emergency Response Division. Complex incidents demand specialty trained technicians and operators who engage in highly skilled tactics and deploy specialized equipment. The Special Operations Division is composed of resources such as the: Dive Rescue Team, Fire Marine Vessels, SWAT Medics, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Program, Technical Rescue Team and the Hazardous Materials Response Team. 

Also, a part of this division is the South Florida FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Team – Florida Task Force 2. The Task Force has responded in support of multiple natural and/or man-made disasters both throughout the United States and internationally. 

All members of this division train continually to ensure that they can provide the highest level of service to the visitors and citizens of Miami. 

Division of Emergency Management

Assistant Fire Chief
Adrian Plasencia

Contact Information
Department of Fire-Rescue
444 S.W. 2nd Avenue, 10th Floor
Miami, Florida 33130

The Emergency Management Section is responsible for coordinating citywide disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation concerns for all City departments.  This section creates, updates, and participates the City’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP), which culminates in an annual citywide disaster exercise.  It is also responsible for the deployment and management of the City of Miami Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

Training Division

Assistant Fire Chief
Arturo Gomez

Contact Information
Department of Fire-Rescue
Training Center
3425 Jefferson Street
Miami, Florida 33133

The Training Division is charged with the responsibility of scheduling, coordinating, and conducting department-wide training.  Through many hours of training each year, this division ensures all department personnel are proficient in all areas of Emergency Response.  These areas include, fire, emergency medical and special operation services which are provided to all citizens who reside and visit the City of Miami each year.   

View More Information on the Training Division

 

 

Deputy Chief of Administration

Deputy Fire Chief
Eloy Garcia

Contact Information
Department of Fire-Rescue
1151 NW 7th Street
Miami, Florida 33136

The Chief of Administration serves as a member of the Department's top management team. He assists the Director of Fire with policy development and manages the department's support and administrative functions. The Chief of Administration oversees the department's budget section which encompasses the General Fund, Capital Improvement Program, Disaster Recovery/Mitigation Funds and Urban Search and Rescue Funds. Under his span of control are the Logistics Division, Management Services, Technical Services, Fire Prevention Bureau, and Health and Emergency Medical Support Division.

Division of Professional Standards

Assistant Fire Chief
Christian F. Guzman

Contact Information
Department of Fire-Rescue
1151 NW 7th Street
Miami, Florida 33136

This Division is the most diverse in scope and practice. Its primary responsibility is to function as the department’s Human Resources specialist in the management of personnel matters, disciplinary issues, firefighter recruitment and hiring, and labor and management programs. The Division of Professional Standards is also responsible for the department’s policy, procedure, contract interpretation and acts as a liaison between the Fire Department and other City Departments.

 

 

Health & Emergency Medical Support Division

Assistant Fire Chief
Robert Jorge

Contact Information
Department of Fire-Rescue
1151 NW 7th St.
Miami, Florida 33136

The Health & Emergency Medical Services Division is responsible for providing quality emergency medical treatment to the public and quick transportation of patients to medical facilities as well as the overall health and wellness of the department’s fire personnel.

 

 

Technical Services Division

Assistant Fire Chief
Tyrone McGann

Contact Information
Department of Fire-Rescue
444 SW 2nd Avenue, 10th Floor
Miami, Florida 33130

The TECHNICAL SERVICES DIVISION provides administrative support to the Department of Fire-Rescue through the management of Payroll, Personnel and all Departmental Legislative Processes. The Payroll and Personnel section of the Division is responsible for the accurate recording and maintenance of all departmental attendance records, time usages and employee compensation, in addition to the coordination and processing of all personnel actions related to hiring, anniversaries, longevities, promotions and intradepartmental personnel changes. Furthermore, the Division serves as the departmental liaison to the City Attorney’s Office for the purpose of executing Fire Department contractual agreements and preparing Fire Department legislative items for placement on the City’s Commission Meeting Agenda.

 

 

Fire Prevention Bureau

Assistant Fire Chief
Adrian Plasencia

Contact Information
Department of Fire-Rescue
444 SW 2nd Avenue, 10th Floor
Miami, Florida 33130

The Prevention Bureau enforces extensive state and local fire and life safety codes and is the enforcement arm concerning life safety issues.  This includes the responsibility of Certificate of Use/Fire Safety Permit inspections; plans review and fire inspections for construction; fire investigations; and special events as they relate to life safety.

The Fire Prevention Bureau is the second largest division in the Miami Fire-Rescue Department. It is composed of the following sections: Water Supply, Plans Review, New Construction, Certificate of Use inspections, Specialty Inspections, Fire Investigations, and Special Events. The Fire Prevention Bureau also works very closely with other city departments, such as Zoning, Code Compliance, the Office of Film and Entertainment, and the Building and Finance departments to name a few. 

Fire Prevention Bureau Page

Logistics Division

Assistant Fire Chief
Robert Hardy

Contact Information
Department of Fire-Rescue
1151 NW 7th Street
Miami, Florida 33136

This Division’s primary responsibility is to provide logistical support to the Department suppression units, rescue units, special function apparatuses, and supply additional support to on-the-scene emergencies.  The Logistics Division is also responsible for the maintenance and repair for all fire and rescue apparatus, equipment, and facilities as needed on a 24-hour basis.  

Our Core Values are Professionalism, Service, Integrity, Teamwork, Innovation, & Courage. We are committed to providing excellence in all aspects of conduct and performance with the highest level of customer service. We uphold the public trust and conduct ourselves responsibly by maintaining ethical standards by effectively and efficiently supporting our common goal of “Excellence through Service”. Additionally, we strive to advance in our profession with new methods and technology to overcome fear through fortitude and accept the risk to protect others.