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Miami-Dade fire chief Raied Jadallah receives 2024 Career Fire Chief of the Year Award

August 1, 2024

Fire Chief Raied Jadallah honored with prestigious award

As reported by Miami-Dade County Fire Department, Fire Chief Raied “Ray” Jadallah has been awarded the 2024 Career Fire Chief of the Year Award by the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association (FFCA).

This accolade is the highest recognition given to active fire chiefs in Florida.

Chief Jadallah was selected by his peers for his exemplary service and dedication to his profession, community, and country.

The award ceremony took place at the FFCA’s Executive Development Conference in Tampa, Florida, where fire chiefs from across the state gathered to honor his achievements.

Leadership and service record

Since his appointment as Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) Fire Chief in 2022, Jadallah has supervised and led approximately 2,800 employees, including both sworn and professional staff.

He has worked closely with County leaders to develop public safety goals and objectives and has fostered strong relationships with municipalities and other government agencies.

During his tenure, Chief Jadallah has managed numerous major incidents.

In June 2021, he oversaw the response to the Champlain Towers South building collapse in Surfside, Florida, as part of MDFR’s Incident Management Team.

His role included communicating with the families of the missing, providing updates on search and rescue efforts.

Response to COVID-19 pandemic

In March 2020, as the Incident Commander during the COVID-19 response, Chief Jadallah coordinated the implementation of a response plan involving MDFR, various County departments, and State agencies.

His leadership during the pandemic was instrumental in managing the crisis effectively.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava praised Chief Jadallah’s leadership: “Fire Chief Jadallah has shown exceptional leadership and unwavering dedication to the Miami-Dade County community.

“His commitment was especially evident during the rescue and response efforts following the Surfside Building Collapse.”

Public Safety Chief James Reyes also commended Chief Jadallah, saying: “I am extremely proud of Chief Jadallah for his exemplary leadership and dedication to public safety.

“His commitment to excellence serves as an inspiration to us all.”

Chief Jadallah’s response to the award

Upon receiving the award, Chief Jadallah expressed his gratitude: “I am deeply honored to receive this recognition from the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association.

“This award is not just a personal achievement but a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone in MDFR.

“I am privileged to serve as the fire chief for such an outstanding department, and this honor is shared with every member of our team who works tirelessly to keep our community safe.”

Chief Jadallah leads the largest accredited full-service fire rescue department in the Southeast, which is the first in the country with a Class 1 ISO rating.

The department covers a response territory of over 1,000 square miles and serves a population of over one million.

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