IN THE PUBLIC EYE: Fire Rescue Chief Paul Dezzi

Longboat Key Fire Rescue Chief Paul Dezzi bean his career in 1984 as a Sarasota County firefighter paramedic and moved up the ranks from firefighter, lieutenant, captain and, finally, to assistant chief of operations. Dezzi was also in charge of the Advanced Life Technologies Support transport department.

Eventually, he supervised 500 employees, but now, on Longboat Key, he oversees a department with just 33 uniformed personnel.

Dezzi joined the Longboat Key department in July 2009 as deputy chief but became interim chief in May 2010, following the resignation of former Fire Chief Rich Dickerson.

Five months later, former Town Manager Bruce St. Denis promoted Dezzi to the official position and credited him with increasing training opportunities for firefighters and his work on policy development, a wellness program and a benevolent organization for local donations.

Dezzi completed fire and paramedic training at the Sarasota Technical Institute and holds an associate’s degree in fire science.

He is married and has four sons.

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected].