Richard Fernandez is a seasoned fire service professional with over 35 years of experience, including 32 years with the City of Coral Gables Fire Department, retiring in July 2024. Throughout his distinguished career, he held roles ranging from Firefighter/Paramedic to EMS Captain and served as the Public Information Officer and Special Response Team Coordinator. Richard also served as Deputy Fire Chief for the Key Largo Volunteer Fire Department, overseeing operations, training, budget, and strategic planning.
A part-time faculty member at Palm Beach State College, he teaches courses in fire service and technical rescue. He holds numerous certifications including Technical Rescue Instructor, Live Fire Instructor, and All-Hazards Operations Section Chief. Richard currently serves as Director of Operations for Interamerican Firefighters Inc., delivering fire and EMS training across the U.S., Latin America, and the Caribbean. He is a certified international assessor and instructor with TERC and NAVRA, recognized for his leadership in emergency response and training.
