Margate Fire Department

04/11/2026

Come out today for Autism Awareness.

Hello, Margate!

Don’t forget tomorrow is our Touch-A-Truck event for your little one to explore some of our neatest set of wheels! Admission is free.

04/09/2026

Join us at Touch-A-Truck on April 11. Don't forget your cameras!

04/08/2026

Margate Fire Department’s Fire Station 58 has earned the third-highest ranking in the commercial category for the Florida Green Building Coalition’s Green Achievement Awards.

Categories include energy use, water use, and innovation.

For us, it means being responsible stewards of our environment.

“Green buildings support a healthier, safer, and more sustainable future for our community,” says Fire Chief Roberto Lorenzo. “By focusing on energy efficiency, water conservation, improved indoor environmental quality, and sustainable materials, these buildings can help reduce operating and maintenance costs over time while creating healthier spaces for the people who work inside them.

“For firefighter paramedics, this also means an environment that supports health and well-being through better air quality, improved comfort, and thoughtful building design. Investing in green building practices is not only good for the environment but also for the long-term wellness of our personnel and the responsible use of public resources.”

04/05/2026

Happy Easter to from all of us at the Margate Fire Department!

04/03/2026

The Margate Fire Department celebrated the addition of five new firefighter-paramedics to the team, who were pinned during a formal badge ceremony.

Frank Ferranti, Trevor Honse, Justin Picciolo, Daniel Rodriguez, and Jean Victor are the proud graduates of Class 25-01.

Welcome to the family at !

04/02/2026

With their tremendous training put to the test, Margate's Fire Department saved the life of Meg Gallo, a Margate mom, who suffered a heart attack in the middle of the night three months ago.

On Wednesday night, we honored our hero firefighters who were on that call, the Sheriff's Office dispatcher, and Meg's quick-thinking husband, Anthony, who knew time was of the essence.

Hear Meg's story, and why Margate Fire's work is so critical for our community in .

04/01/2026

Wishing you a peaceful and meaningful Passover, from all of us at the Margate Fire Department! Happy Passover!

03/31/2026

Join us at Touch-A-Truck on April 11.

Join us at Touch-A-Truck on April 11. Don't forget your cameras!

03/13/2026

Congratulations to Danny Rodriguez, who has been promoted to Deputy Fire Chief!

Deputy Chief Rodriguez has been a dedicated member of the Margate Fire Department since 2001.

Throughout his career, he has advanced through the ranks, serving as Rescue Supervisor, Lieutenant, Captain, Division Chief, and, later, Battalion Chief, assigned as the Division Chief of Logistics, overseeing the operational needs of the department’s three fire stations.

As Deputy Chief, he oversees operational readiness, coordinates major programs and initiatives, and supports the Fire Chief in managing personnel, resources, and long-term strategic goals for the department. He also oversees the procurement and maintenance of fire and rescue trucks and all support vehicles. He ensures that the department’s 93 firefighters are fully equipped with essential gear, including uniforms, bunker gear, and other critical safety equipment. His leadership is key to maintaining operational readiness and to upholding the department’s prestigious ISO Class 1 rating.

In 2018, Chief Rodriguez led the Margate Fire Department to become the first in Florida to achieve NFPA 1851 compliance — a critical health initiative aimed at reducing firefighters' cancer risks by ensuring proper cleaning, maintenance, and storage of protective gear. Under his leadership, the department reached 100% compliance by 2020 and has continued to uphold this standard, prioritizing the health and safety of all personnel. Committed to excellence, Chief Rodriguez continues to seek innovative ways to enhance firefighter safety and improve department operations.

03/12/2026

Great job, Vito Labriola, on your promotion to Assistant Fire Chief of Operations at Margate Fire!

Asst. Chief Labriola began his career with the Margate Fire Department in 2008. He has since served as Firefighter/Paramedic, Lieutenant, Captain, EMS Captain, Battalion Chief, Division Chief of EMS, and Division Chief of Operations.

Asst. Chief Labriola is a four-time recipient of the Firefighter of the Month award, a one-time recipient of the Firefighter of the Year award, and has been recognized with a Unit Citation Award and the prestigious Merit Award. He has also served as Vice Chair of the Broward County Fire Chiefs’ Association EMS Subcommittee, serves on the First There First Care Conference committee, serves as Chair of the Broward County Healthcare Coalition, and is an active member of the HCA Northwest Medical Center Board of Trustees.

He is also a long-standing member of the prestigious ALS Competition Team and RIT Competition Team, and a former SWAT paramedic. He has also served in the Training Bureau, as Chair of the Health and Safety Committee, as the department’s Designated Infection Control Officer, a member of the Pandemic Task Force, and a member of the Peer Support Team.

Asst. Chief Labriola has earned multiple State of Florida fire and EMS certifications, State of Florida Fire Officer IV, and he is a certified Emergency Manager. He is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Managing Officer Program, has earned three Associate Degrees, earned a Bachelor of Applied Science in Public Safety Administration with a cross-disciplinary concentration from St. Petersburg College, and earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Barry University (magna cm laude). He also completed the Florida Fire Chief’s Association Emergency Services Leadership Institute (ESLI) program and is currently completing the prestigious Executive Fire Officer (EFO) program at the National Fire Academy.

Our new Assistant Fire Chief serves his community with honor and integrity, upholding himself to the highest moral and ethical standards. For Asst. Chief Labriola, serving in the fire service is his calling, and he will always serve with pride and professionalism.

Congratulations!

03/11/2026

Matt Whiteshield has been promoted to Assistant Fire Chief of EMS at .

Asst. Chief Whiteshield began his career with the Margate Fire Department in 2000 and has served the community with distinction for over two decades. Throughout his career, he has held the ranks of Firefighter/Paramedic, Lieutenant, Captain, EMS Captain, and currently serves as Assistant Chief of EMS.

Asst. Chief Whiteshield was a member of the award-winning Vehicle Extrication Team, where he served as the Team Medic and was recognized as Best Lead Medic in 2005. He later served as Team Captain, further demonstrating his leadership and operational expertise.

A founding member of the Margate Firefighters Benevolent, Asst. Chief Whiteshield has served as its President for the past 15 years. In this role, he has led numerous community-focused initiatives to support Margate residents, including charitable outreach, family assistance programs, and partnerships that provide aid during times of need. His leadership has helped strengthen the bond between the fire department and the community it serves, reinforcing a culture of service, compassion, and civic responsibility.

Asst. Chief Whiteshield also brings an extensive background in EMS education, with more than 20 years as an EMS instructor across Broward and Miami-Dade counties. He has served as an instructor at Broward College and the University of Miami Gordon Center, and previously served as EMS Program Director at the Emergency Education Institute.

His career is marked by numerous honors, including multiple Firefighter of the Month awards, the 2014 Fire Chief’s Award, 2008 Firefighter of the Year, and the 2018 American Red Cross Humanitarian of the Year Award.

Our congratulations to the Chief on his achievements and good luck in your new role!

03/10/2026

We have a new captain at Margate Fire!

Congratulations to Rolando Jimenez Jr. on his promotion!

Capt. Jimenez, a State-Certified Fire Officer II and State-Certified Fire Inspector, has proudly served on the Margate ALS Team for eight years. He has spent the past seven years serving as a Fire Rescue Lieutenant, where he leads with professionalism, integrity, and a strong focus on team development and public safety.

Good luck from !