Miami Beach fire chief retires in final exit from City Hall. Here's who could succeed him

Miami Beach Fire Chief Virgil Fernandez is retiring after 10 years in the job, marking the latest in a series of high-profile departures and potentially paving the way for the city's first female fire chief.

In a memo Tuesday afternoon, interim City Manager Rickelle Williams announced that Fernandez would step down as chief on July 1, then serve for two months as a special advisor to the new department head.

“His commitment, leadership and professionalism have guided the dedicated men and women of the Fire Department through many challenging circumstances, including the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous hurricanes (locally and throughout Florida) and the “collapse of the Champlain Towers South building,” Williams wrote.

Williams praised Fernandez for establishing an “internal succession plan” and expressed his desire for continuity within the department. She recommended Deputy Fire Chief Digna Abello for the role of chief, saying members of the command staff offered “unanimous support” for the decision.

The recommendation is subject to approval by the Miami Beach City Commission on June 26.

Several months after joining the department in 2014, Fernandez promoted Abello to chief of training and support services, making her the city's first female firefighter to reach the rank of division chief.

Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner stressed the need for stability amid a series of resignations since he was elected alongside several new commissioners late last year. Among those who announced the departures were City Manager Alina Hudak and City Attorney Rafael Paz.

Williams assumed the city's top administrative role in April after Hudak submitted his resignation, despite Meiner advocating for Deputy City Manager Eric Carpenter to take on the role.

Instead, the commission voted to install Williams on an interim basis and a national search for a permanent director, which is ongoing.

Several officials, including Fernandez, have faced heavy criticism in recent months from newly elected Commissioner David Suarez, who has raised concerns about mold and poor conditions at a South Beach fire station including the move has been planned for years. Fernandez assured Suarez that he was looking into the matter.

In a resignation letter Thursday, Fernandez, 62, did not share his reasons for retirement but highlighted his more than 42 years of fire service in South Florida. Fernandez spent 23 years with the City of Miami Fire Department, then served as fire chief in Hollywood for nearly a decade before coming to Miami Beach.

His letter touted the top rating given to the Miami Beach department by the Office of Insurance Services, which measures the departments' fire prevention and suppression capabilities.

“All accomplishments are a direct reflection of the professionalism and commitment of the men and women of the Miami Beach Fire Department,” Fernandez wrote. “I am extremely grateful and proud of each and every one of them.”