Deputy Chief Paul Langel was born in Ft. Pierce and is a proud graduate of Saint Anastasias Elementary and John Carroll High. He was hired by the Fire District in 1997 and has proudly served the citizens of St. Lucie County for 24 years. As deputy chief of the Community Risk Reduction and the Building & Grounds divisions, he provides mentorship and professional development, and participates in the budget planning and administrative process. This administrative level position oversees the following areas: code enforcement, fire investigations, site plan development, building plan review, public education, and the ISO process. 

Chief Langel's education, includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Administration from Columbia Southern University and an Associate Degree in Business Administration from Indian River State College. He attended the Managing Officer Program at the United States Fire Administration’s National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland. He is a graduate of the Staff and Command Class through the University of Maryland Fire College. He is a certified Lifesafety Inspector I/II, Certified Fire and Explosive Investigator, and a State of Florida Fire Codes Administrator.   He is one of 189 internationally designated Fire Marshals through the Center of Public Safety Excellence and holds the rank of MiFireE designation through the Institution of Fire Engineers.