Division Chiefs

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION CHIEFS  work a Monday through Friday schedule and are responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of specific divisions. They also provide oversight on policies pertaining to organizational safety, certification programs and special recognition programs.

4. Crouse

Division Chief Chad Crouse has served with the Fire District since 2004. His education includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Management from Waldorf College, and a Master’s Degree in Fire Science and Homeland Security Management from Southern Illinois University. Chief Crouse began his Doctor of Emergency Management in 2020 and is currently a Doctoral Candidate at Capella University.
 
Prior to his reassignment to Administration, Chief Crouse served as a Company Officer and Field Training Officer in the Operations Division.
 
Chief Crouse currently oversees the Fire District's Community Risk Reduction, Communications, Information Technology, and Emergency Management Divisions. Chief Crouse is also responsible for the Fire District's Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating and the District's Fire Officer Development program

4. Vachon
4. Mikels

Division Chief Dane Vachon has served with the Fire District since 2005. His education includes an Associate’s 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 Emergency Services Management from Columbia Southern University.
 
 Prior to his reassignment to Administration, Chief Vachon served as a Company Officer and Training and Safety Officer in the Operations Division.
 
Chief Vachon serves as the Chief of Operations for the Fire District, overseeing a team of over 450 firefighters who provide critical services throughout the county. In his role, he collaborates closely with the three Operations Division Chiefs to ensure effective management of field operations. Additionally, he supervises two Application Support Engineers responsible for maintaining software programs vital to the Operations Division. Chief Vachon also oversees a Battalion Chief who leads the Fire District's Training and Safety Division.



Division Chief Daniel Mikels has served with the Fire District since 2005. His education includes an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science from Indian River State College, a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Science from Columbia Southern University, and a Master’s Degree in Public Safety from Capella University. He also completed the Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy.

Prior to his reassignment to Administration, Chief Mikels served as a Company Officer and Field Training Officer in the Operations Division. He was a long serving member of the Special Operations Team and helped manage the team as a Special Operations Captain. His last assignments were as Battalion Chief in Battalions 3 and 4 respectively. 

Chief Mikels currently oversees Building and Grounds, Fleet, Logistics, Accreditation, and Strategic Planning. He is also the Chairman for the Employee Health and Welfare Trust. 

OPERATIONS DIVISION CHIEFS are a component of the fire district's administrative command staff. They are responsible for the emergency operations in the county during their shift, which includes overseeing all battalion chiefs, the communications division, fire stations 1,6,11 and the field-training officers. The division chief is quartered at fire station 6 and works from the fire district's administrative complex during the day. They respond to complex and escalating emergencies throughout the county. The division chief also has a primary response area spanning from Indian River Drive to the Okeechobee county line.

4. Stirrat

Division Chief Kyle Stirrat has served with the Fire District since 1995. His education includes a Bachelor's Degree in Management from Warner Southern University and an Associate of Arts Degree from Indian River State College. Chief Stirrat served on the Special Operations Team and is State Certified in confined space rescue, Haz-Mat, trench rescue and rope rescue.

Chief Stirrat currently oversees operations for A-Shift, which is responsible for emergency service delivery to the community, including fire suppression, emergency medical responses. Aeromedical responses, special operations responses and overall personnel management for his shift.

4. Jay

Division Chief Ryan Jay has served with the Fire District since 1997. His education includes a Bachelor's Degree in Fire Science from Columbia Southern University and an Associate of Science Degree in Emergency Medical Services from Indian River State College.

Chief Jay oversees operations for B-Shift, which is responsible for emergency service delivery to the community, including fire suppression, emergency medical responses. Aeromedical responses, special operations responses and overall personnel management for his shift. 

4. Stefani

Division Chief Donny Stefani has served with the Fire District since 2000. His education includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Science from Waldorf University as well as an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science from Columbia Southern University.

Chief Stefani has served in multiple capacities within the Fire District including Special Operations Captain, Special Operations Driver, and Company Officer. His experience includes managing the Special Operations Team, the Fire Operations Committee, and the Apparatus Committee. He has been published in Fire Engineering magazine in March 2015 and serves as a Fire Instructor III around the state of Florida.

He currently oversees C-Shift Operations, which is responsible for emergency service delivery to the community, including fire suppression, emergency medical responses. Aeromedical responses, special operations responses and overall personnel management for his shift. He also oversees the Fire Operations Committee.

Amy

Amy Kwasnicki
Compliance Manager

5160 NW Milner Dr.
Port St Lucie FL 34983

772.621.3332
akwasnicki@slcfd.org