“I don’t intend on leaving the fire service totally. I’ll see where the next chapter in my life takes me, but I am sure it will include a connection with our great fire service,” said retiring Fire Chief Dave Downey.

Dave Downey was first introduced into the fire service when he joined the Fire Explorer program before being hired as a Firefighter/Paramedic with Sunrise Fire Rescue in 1982.

In January of 1988, he was hired as a Firefighter/Paramedic with the Metro-Dade Fire Department, currently known as Miami-Dade Fire Rescue. Since joining Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, Dave Downey has led an impeccable, distinguished career working his way up the ranks as a firefighter, company officer, battalion chief, division chief, and assistant fire chief to eventually become fire chief in 2013.

Originally operating as a single-unit fire patrol in 1935, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue has grown into one of the top ten largest accredited fire-rescue departments in the southeastern United States. Currently staffed by over 2,500 employees, including almost 2,000 uniformed firefighters who are trained in both fire suppression and emergency medical response, the County’s full-service fire and rescue department is responsible for dispatching resources over an area of approximately 1,883 square miles that includes 70 fire stations responding to all of the unincorporated areas of Miami-Dade County and 29 municipalities within the County.

What stands out to Downey as one of the most rewarding achievements of his 37-year career? “I am proud that we have developed fiscal stability, hired almost 500 firefighters, and placed six new units into service during my tenure,” said Chief Dave Downey. “Equally as important is the fact that we have put measures in place to reduce our firefighters exposure to the by-products of fire that are known carcinogens.”

Chief Downey has been a member of the FL-TF1 US&R since 1991 and currently serves as one of the Task Force Leaders. He has responded to numerous disasters domestically as well as internationally, including the World Trade Center, Hurricane Katrina, and earthquakes in Haiti and Turkey. Chief Downey is also a member of the International Association of Fire Fighters, International Association of Fire Chiefs, National Fire Protection Association, Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association, and the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association.

Above and beyond his accomplished professional experience in the fire service, as an educator since 1987, Chief Downey has developed and taught a wide range of EMS and firefighting programs. Chief Downey has earned an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science from Broward Community College, a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration from Barry University, and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Nova Southeastern University.

“Recently, someone asked me what my legacy will be. Honestly, I believe that that is for others to decide, but I did begin to reflect,” said Downey. “How do I want to be remembered? I hope, in a small part, that I will be remembered for my passion for the fire service and my love of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.”

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue sworn and non-sworn personnel would like to extend its gratitude to Fire Chief Dave Downey for his unwavering commitment and dedication to Miami-Dade County and for his significant and lasting contributions to the fire and rescue service at a local, county, state and international levels over the past 37 years. The Department wishes him the best of luck moving forward.

As Fire Chief Dave Downey moves on to different adventures in his life after retirement, at Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, he will forever remain: Always Ready & Proud to Serve.