Sarasota County hires David Rathbun as new fire chief
Sarasota County has chosen a veteran fire administrator from Orange County to run its fire department.
David Rathbun, the former deputy fire chief of Orange County Fire Rescue, will take on the role of Sarasota County fire chief in November.
“The opportunity to work with the heroes of Sarasota County Fire Department is an extraordinary one,” Rathbun said in a news release. “I look forwarding to getting to know them and deepen the ties we have with our residents and visitors.”
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A native Floridian, Rathbun began his tenure at Orange County Fire Rescue in 1989 as a firefighter/EMT. He worked his way up the ladder, serving as lieutenant, battalion chief, assistant chief, division chief of logistics, division chief of operations and division chief of planning and technical services.
Rathbun retired from the department in January as deputy fire chief. He spent 32 years in the department.
“Chief Rathbun brings valuable experience along with a deep knowledge of the fire service in the state of Florida to Sarasota County as the next fire chief,” Sarasota County Administrator Jonathan Lewis said in the press release. “He has a strong understanding of leading a fire department that provides life-saving service to a community.”
Rathbun will relieve Acting Fire Chief Mike Hartley, who has held that position since former fire chief Michael Regnier left Sarasota County to become Longboat Key assistant fire chief last December.
Hartley will continue to serve as SCFD's deputy chief of operations.
“We are grateful to Mike Hartley, whose dedicated service in the role of acting fire chief was instrumental during the search for Sarasota County Fire Department's new chief,” Lewis said. The county conducted a nationwide search for the position.
During his tenure in Orange County, Rathbun managed fire operations, emergency medical services and special operations, fleet and equipment needs for a department with over 1,500 personnel, according to Sarasota County. He implemented a strategic planning process and new computer-aided dispatch system and managed the department’s re-accreditation, among other accomplishments.
Rathbun holds a master's degree in public administration and a bachelor's degree in business management and marketing. He also served in the United States Navy from 1983 to 1987.
He is expected to take the helm of SCFD on Nov. 7.
Anne Snabes covers city and county government for the Herald-Tribune. You can contact her at asnabes@gannett.com and follow her on Twitter at @a_snabes.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: David Rathbun is Sarasota County's new fire chief
