COUNTY CONFIRMS RL COLINA AS ACTING FIRE CHIEF; THANKS RETIRING CHIEF JIM CALLAHAN FOR HIS CONTINUED SERVICE

COUNTY CONFIRMS RL COLINA AS ACTING FIRE CHIEF; THANKS RETIRING CHIEF JIM CALLAHAN FOR HIS CONTINUED SERVICE

MONROE COUNTY, FL –  The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners confirmed Monroe County Fire Rescue Deputy Fire Chief Rene Luis “RL” Colina as Monroe County’s Acting Fire Chief. Colina leads the organization starting today. Retiring Chief James “Jim” Callahan will continue his service through a transition period until he retires in March 2025.

“We are grateful for Chief Callahan’s hard work and dedication over the past two decades in Monroe County to improve fire services for all our citizens and look forward to Chief Colina’s tenure moving forward,” said Monroe County Administrator Christine Hurley.

Colina started with Monroe County in February 2020 as a battalion chief and fire marshal and became deputy chief in August 2021. Before coming to Monroe County, he worked for the Apopka (Florida) Fire Department, starting in 1997. He has a Bachelor of Science in Fire and Emergency Medical Services from the University of Florida and numerous certifications from the Florida State Fire College and the National Fire Academy.

“I am honored to take the helm of this dedicated organization and institute the values of respect, integrity, loyalty, and empathy into the day-to-day operations,” said Colina. “I look forward to building upon Chief Callahan’s legacy for the betterment of the future of fire rescue in the Florida Keys.”

Callahan has more than 50 years of experience in fire service throughout his career. Callahan made significant contributions to the Florida Keys community, including adding adequate fire hydrants and other water resources, increasing career service firefighters, advancing emergency communications, and upgrading equipment and fire apparatus. In reflection, he said his greatest accomplishment was working with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office to bring the Trauma Star air ambulance to the Florida Keys, as it is known today.

“Chief Callahan’s knowledge and experience in fire department administration and operations have advanced Monroe County Fire Rescue into the professional fire service organization it is today,” said Hurley. “His institutional knowledge will help Chief Colina seamlessly transition to the lead position.”

Callahan coordinated with the County’s project management team to rebuild the fire stations in Conch Key, Stock Island, Big Pine Key, and Cudjoe Key and renovated Tavernier, Layton, and Sugarloaf. He created the “Hot Shots Program” and advocated for building the fire training facility on Grassy Key. His changes allowed the fire department to receive an improved ISO rating of 3/3X from a 5/9 rating, which helped lower county property insurance rates. Callahan also consolidated airport fire services, giving airport firefighters access to state-mandated training, and he established a Fire Prevention Division to handle building plan reviews, construction inspections, commercial fire inspections, and public education.

Colina’s official pinning will take place on Feb. 19, 2025 at the regularly scheduled Board of County Commissioners meeting in Key West.

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