command staff
 Fire Chief Steve Abraira
Chief Abraira was born in Fort Riley, Kansas, but grew up in Miami where his father was a firefighter. Chief Abraira knew in ninth grade that he wanted to be a firefighter.
It was only a few years later, at the age of nineteen, that he joined the Miami Fire Department where his father was still on active duty. He rose steadily through the ranks there, and on his way up served as a Driver Engineer, Fire Service Instructor, Fire Lieutenant, Station Captain, Hazardous Materials Commander, District Chief, Deputy Division Chief in Operations, Division Chief of Safety and Training, Assistant Chief of Management Services and, finally, Assistant Chief of Emergency Response. He ended his 26-year career in Miami in June, 2000 in order to accept the Fire Chief’s position in the City of Dallas, Texas, where he spent the next five years before retiring and returning to Miami.
The fire service is truly an Abraira family calling. Chief Abraira’s son is currently a Fire Lieutenant with the City of Miami Fire-Rescue Department, making him a third-generation Miami firefighter.
Chief Abraira was selected and appointed by the City Manager as Palm Bay Fire Chief on September 10, 2007, after a nationwide search that included more than thirty candidates.
Chief Abraira has over 35 years of progressive experience in the fire service and is currently pursuing his Master’s Degree in Management and Leadership. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration as well as an Associate Degree in Fire Science Technology. He also holds the international professional designation of Chief Fire Officer, awarded through the Center of Public Safety Excellence, as well as the designation of Member, Institute of Fire Engineers.
 Assistant Chief Art Renfro
Assistant Chief Renfro began his firefighting career with Melbourne Fire Department in 1974 and as a classmate of Battalion Chief Harrell in Melbourne’s Fire Academy.
He achieved several promotions with the Melbourne Fire Department before leaving his position of Lieutenant of Training to take a position as a Fire Chief with Pan Am World Services. Upon returning from his overseas tour, he joined the City of Cape Canaveral as their Fire Marshal and was selected as their first paid Fire Chief.
In 1986, he came to Palm Bay Fire-Rescue, where he was promoted to Battalion Chief in 1993, and then to Assistant Chief in 2000.
Assistant Chief Renfro has over 35 years of progressive experience in the fire service. He holds two Associate’s Degree and various professional certifications.
He currently oversees the Administrative Bureau, consisting of Emergency Preparedness, Apparatus and Facilities, SCBA, Inventory Control, Records, and the Fire Prevention Division.
 Assistant Chief Jim Stables
Assistant Chief Stables originally joined Palm Bay Fire-Rescue in 1986, after serving as a firefighter/fire inspector for a year in South Florida.
After a brief time with Brevard County Fire-Rescue, serving as a Captain and a District Chief, he returned to Palm Bay in 2001 as a Battalion Chief. In his fire service career, he has risen progressively through the ranks, to his current position of Assistant Fire Chief of Emergency Services.
Assistant Chief Stables has over 25 years of progressive experience in the fire service and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration.
He holds various professional certifications, which include Fire Officer and Fire Service Instructor, through the State of Florida. He also holds the Chief Fire Officer Designation through the Center for Public Safety Excellence.
He currently oversees the Emergency Services Bureau, consisting of, Fire-Rescue Response, Training/Safety, and Special Operations.
 Battalion Chief Dave Hanks
Battalion Chief Hanks has been serving with Palm Bay Fire-Rescue since 1982, holding the positions of Firefighter, Driver/Engineer, Lieutenant, Captain, and, most recently, Battalion Chief for B-Shift.
In addition to managing the daily operations of B-Shift Battalion Chief Hanks is responsible for coordinating the logistical and budget issues for the fire-rescue department.
Battalion Chief Hanks holds an Associate’s Degree and various professional certifications in the fire-rescue field.
 Battalion Chief Gene Harrell
Battalion Chief Harrell has been serving with Palm Bay Fire-Rescue since 2000, holding the positions of Training Section Commander, and, most recently, Battalion Chief for C-Shift.
In addition to managing the daily operations of C-Shift Battalion Chief Harrell s responsible for coordinating the emergency medical services program for the fire-rescue department.
Battalion Chief Harrell began his firefighting career with Melbourne Fire Department in 1974 and as a classmate of Assistant Chief Renfro in Melbourne’s Fire Academy, leaving in 1975 for Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Fire Department, where he remained for 23 years, receiving several promotions, and retiring as an Assistant Chief.
Battalion Chief Harrell holds an Associate’s Degree and various professional certifications in the fire-rescue field.
 Fire Marshal Mike Couture
Fire Marshal Couture has been serving with Palm Bay Fire-Rescue since 1984, holding the positions of Firefighter, Driver/Engineer, Fire Inspector, and, most recently, Fire Marshal.
In addition to managing the fire prevention activities of the department Fire Marshal Couture is responsible for coordinating the fire-rescue department’s chaplain program, which he has done for past 10 years.
Fire Marshal Couture holds various professional certifications in the fire-rescue field.
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