Deputy Chiefs

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Deputy Chief Mike Merritt began his career at St. Lucie County Fire District in 1990. His education includes a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. As Deputy Chief of Community Risk Reduction (CRR), Chief Merritt oversees all CRR related operations, including quality assurance activities, site inspections, plans review and data assessment, ePCR program administration, external contract service activity and CRR supply oversight and management. 

Deputy Chief Mike Merritt
Deputy Chief Paul Langel

Deputy Chief Paul Langel began his career at St. Lucie County Fire District in 1997. His 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 along with being a Certified District Manager. 

 As deputy chief, Chief Langel oversees several divisions, including Health & Safety, Risk, Compliance, Building & Grounds, as well as supervises Special Projects. He provides mentorship, professional development, budget planning and leadership. He has served on several fire district committees, including Safety Committee, Retirement Health Insurance Trust, Strategic Planning Committee, and Health and Welfare Trust.

Deputy Chief Brian Gonzalez began his career at St. Lucie County Fire District in 2000. His education includes a bachelor’s degree in Fire Science from Columbia Southern University as well as an associate degree in Emergency Medical Services from Indian River State College. 

 As deputy chief, Chief Gonzalez oversees several divisions, including Operations, Communications, Training & Safety, as well as makes sure we are compliant with ratings set by the Insurance Service Office (ISO). He is also responsible for the operational side of the fire district's Air Rescue program.

 He has served on several fire district committees, including Safety, EMS Operations, EMS Guidelines, Medical Review Board, and Strategic Planning. Deputy Chief Gonzalez is a Certified District Manager (CDM) through the Florida Association of Special Districts.

Deputy Chief Brian Gonzalez
Deputy Chief Mark Cristaldi

Deputy Chief Mark Cristaldi Jr. began his career at St. Lucie County Fire District in 2002. His education includes an Associate of Arts Degree in Emergency Medical Services from Indian River State College, a bachelor’s degree in Fire Science from Columbia Southern University, and a master’s degree in Occupational Leadership from Columbia Southern University. He has served on several fire district committees, including the EMS Guidelines Committee, EMS Operations Committee, Strategic Planning Committee, and Medical Review Board Committee.

As deputy chief, Chief Cristaldi oversees several divisions, including Logistics, Fleet Maintenance, Human Resources, and Payroll. He is also responsible for creating and submitting grant applications in addition to managing awarded grants and grant reporting. Chief Cristaldi's position is responsible for policy and procedure development/revisions, development of comprehensive training programs and curriculum in accordance with legal requirements, data analysis, professional development and leadership, strategic planning, budget planning and management, and providing assistance to other administrative functions. 

 He has served on the Safety Committee, Strategic Planning Committee, Medical Review Board, Communications Committee, EMS/Ops Committee, and EMS Guidelines Committee. 

Amy Kwasnicki

Amy Kwasnicki
Administrative Assistant
5160 N. Milner Drive
Port St. Lucie, FL 34983
Phone: (772) 621-3332
Fax: (772) 621-3599
akwasnicki@slcfd.org