command staff

Fire Chief Steve Abraira

Chief Abraira hails from Dallas, Texas, where he served as the Fire Chief, and Miami, Florida, where he was the Assistant Chief of Emergency Response. He served Miami Fire Rescue for 26 years, retiring to take the position of Dallas Fire Chief. Chief Abraira has been in the fire service since the age of nineteen, and has an extensive background that runs the entire gamut of fire service. Chief Abraira's son, who follows his father's footsteps in Miami Fire Rescue, was recently promoted to Lieutenant.

Assistant Chief Art Renfro

Assistant Chief Renfro began his fire service career with the City of Palm Bay in 1986, when he served as the Emergency Management Officer. He received a promotion to Battalion Chief in 1993, and was then promoted to Assistant Chief in 2000. Chief Renfro over sees Apparatus and Facilities, SCBA, Inventory Control, Records Divison, and Fire Prevention.

Assistant Chief Jim Stables

Assistant Chief Stables began his career in 1985 as a Fire Safety Inspector and Volunteer Firefighter in Wilton Manors Fire Department. Chief Stables has served in the capacity of Firefighter, Acting Driver/Engineer, Training Officer-Lieutenant, Special Response Team Co-ordinator, Battalion Chief, and now Assistant Chief. He received the Medal of Honor for actions taken during a shooting incident in 1987.

Battalion Chief Dave Hanks

Battalion Chief Hanks came to Palm Bay from Windsor, California in 1982. He begain his career as a Firefighter, rising to Driver/Engineer, Lieutenant, Captain, Commander, and was promoted to Battalion Chief in 1990. Battalion Chief Hanks' son is following in his footsteps, and they are one of the first father-son teams in Palm Bay Fire Rescue.

Battalion Chief Hanks oversees personnel on "B" shift.

Battalion Chief Gene Harrell

Battalion Chief Gene Harrell started his firefighter career with Melbourne Fire Department in 1974. He then went to the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Fire Department in 1975 to cover all unmanned launches, serving on "C" shift.. Battalion Chief Harrell worked his way through the ranks, and retired as the Assistant Chief of Operations in 1998. He then decided to return to work, and started with Palm Bay Fire Rescue as the Public Education Assistant and eventually became the Training Commander in 2000.

Battalion Chief Harrell now oversees "C" shift personnel.

Battalion Chief Buddy Render

Battalion Chief Vera "Buddy" Render studied at Louisville School of Medicine, where she became a paramedic and flew with the air rescue helicopter. She worked for Brevard Couty Fire Rescue, working her way up throug the ranks from firefighter to battalion chief. She came to Palm Bay Fire Resuce in 1991 as a firefighter, and has worked her up through the ranks, again, to her present position.

Battalion Chief Render oversees personnel on "A" shift.

Fire Marshal Mike Couture

Fire Marshal Couture began his career with Palm Bay Fire in 1984. He has served as Firefighter/EMT, Driver/Engineeer, Fire Inspector, and was promoted to the position of Fire Marshal. Fire Marshal Couture is a member of the Florida Fire Chiefs Association, the Florida Fire Marshal and Inspectors Association, and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

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