The Administration Services Division is responsible for all operations of the organization. Headed by the Chief of Department, the duties include preparation and control of the operating budget, administration of the fire data processing systems (NFIRS), recruitment and enlistment of new employees, the provision of in-service training and education, continued evaluation of the department and its programs and planning for future service needs. This division also administers an efficient, ongoing program for the maintenance, retention, disbursement, preservation of incident reports and other departmental records in accordance with the Administrative Code of the Florida Statutes.

The Fire Administration staff includes the Chief of Department, Assistant Chief of Operations and the Assistant Chief of Administration. In addition, the division includes the department's Senior Staff Assistant and Technical Services Assistant.

Our C.A.R.E. Values, Mission and Vision

Our Mission

The Mission of the Winter Park Fire-Rescue Department is to protect and preserve our community through prompt, professional delivery of services.

Our Vision

Our vision is that by the end of year 2015, the Winter Park Fire Rescue Department will be widely recognized as an organization which utilizes best practices in the delivery of services to our community. Our International Accreditation will promote continuous improvement and validate the consistent, timely, and quality services our community trusts us to provide.

In honoring our community's trust, we are committed to providing effective, efficient, fiscally-responsible service while presenting COMPASSION and EMPATHY as we perform our duties. We will expand our internal and external communications and information dissemination initiatives so that our priorities, philosophy and operations are clearly understood by our community members. By proactively identifying our community's evolving risks, and the dynamic demands of those risks, we will improve our response capabilities while implementing resource and deployment strategies carrying the best interest of our community in accomplishing our mission.

Our leadership and workforce will be ACCOUNTABLE to one another in applying our organizational mission and values, while continuously striving to reach our goals. Emphasis will be placed upon gaining consensus and ownership with organizational issues thereby assuring continued job satisfaction and excellent customer service. Employee safety and preparation will be a priority accomplished through our community hazard and risk preplanning efforts.

Our vision, through these efforts, is that our CARE values will be demonstrated as an integral part of our organizational culture and that we will consistently meet or exceed the expectations of the community.

As developed through our Community-Based Strategic Planning Process

Fire Chief James E. White, EFO

FIRE CHIEF - On October 14, 2002, James “Jim” White was promoted from Deputy Chief of Emergency Operations, in charge of the Fire-Rescue and Life Safety Services Divisions, to Fire Chief.

Chief White began working as a volunteer firefighter in Arlington, Virginia from 1979-1982. In January 1983, he began his professional career in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. White rose through the ranks, and served as Captain of the Fire Training and Public Education Division before moving to Winter Park in 1992. He enhanced the department’s response to natural disasters.

Chief White has received the following awards and degrees:

• “Outstanding Fire Service Professional” awarded by Clemson University, 1989, for his work in public fire education
• Author Kail Memorial Award as “Outstanding Young Firefighter” awarded by the State of Florida Junior Chamber of Commerce, 1994
• “Leadership Winter Park” graduate, 1998, sponsored by the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce
• Degree in Fire Science Technology
• Graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program

Throughout the community, Chief White serves as the President of the Board of Trustees for the Central Florida Fire Academy, Co-Chair for the Fire Rescue of the Regional Domestic Security Task Force serving Central Florida, and Region 1 (Orange County) Representative for the Central Florida Fire Chief’s Association.

Jim lives in Orlando with his wife, Kristi, and two daughters, Morgan and Kristen.

DEPUTY CHIEF - Operations

Deputy Chief Pat McCabe

Patrick "Pat" McCabe has been serving the citizens of Winter Park since 1985. He has been an officer since 1995, and was a Paramedic before that. Pat is currently participating in the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program (EFO).

Pat is married to Cheryl, and has two sons attending Valencia Community College.

 

 

 

DIVISION CHIEF

Division Chief Jimm Walsh, CFO

Jimm began his career with the Winter Park Fire Rescue Department in January 1998. Originally serving as a Fire Inspector, he has since risen through the ranks of Firefighter, Engineer, Captain, and into his current position as Division Chief.

Chief Walsh holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration from the University of Central Florida, where he is currently pursuing a Masters in Public Administration. He is in his final year of the National Fire Academy's Executive Fire Officer (EFO) Program, and has been credentialed by the Commission for Public Safety Excellence as a Chief Fire Officer (CFO.)

Jimm is a member of an Urban Search and Rescue Team (FL-TF4) and the State of Florida Region 5 Incident Management Team. He has instructed numerous classes across the nation and has served as the Fire Officer Program Manager and Special Operations & Truck Company Instructor for the Central Florida Fire Academy.

 

BATTALION CHIEFS - Operations

The three fire department battalion chiefs respond to fire and emergency medical calls, maintain records, and statistics pertaining to fire and rescue responses along with company fire inspections, training activities and the maintenance of facilities and equipment. The battalion chief assigns specific tasks for the lieutenants and crews on a regular basis.

At a fire scene, the battalion chief determines the method of fire attack, supervises the laying of hose lines, and directs the fire streams to extinguish and contain fires. At most emergency scenes, the battalion chief assumes command, is the authority having jurisdiction, and represents the fire department.

Battalion Chief Tim Notartomaso A-Shift	Tim Notartomaso began his career as a Firefighter with the Winter Park Fire Department in September 1984. He was promoted to Engineer in 1990 and to Lieutenant in 1992. He was promoted to his current position of Battalion Chief in January 2003 and is assigned to A Shift. From 1983 to 1996 He served his rural community as a volunteer firefighter and officer. Chief Notartomaso helped to organize the Departments Technical Rescue Team and also serves as part of the committee responsible for International Accreditation. Tim also oversees the specification of new fire apparatus and equipment for the department. When off-duty Tim enjoys spending time with his family, playing guitar, sports, airbrushing and doing projects around his farm.
Mark Adams grew up in the Winter Park area graduating from Winter Park High School in 1982 and The University of Florida in 1988. Mark served the Winter Park Fire Department as an Explorer from 1981 until becoming a Reserve Firefighter in late 1982 and began as a full time Firefighter from 1983 until 1986 when he returned to school to pursue other interests. After nine years out of the fire service, Mark returned to the Winter Park Fire Department in January 1995. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 2000 and to Battalion Chief in 2007. Mark currently resides in DeLand with his wife and their two sons. In his spare time, he enjoys the beach, following Gator athletics, playing golf, and being with his family. Mark also enjoys attending and serving at LifePoint Community Church in DeLand.	Battalion Chief Mark Adams B-Shift
Battalion Chief Jim Knackert C-Shift	Jim Knackert began his career at the Winter Park Fire Department in October 1978. Jim was promoted to Engineer in 1981 and was promoted to Lieutenant in 1984. Chief Knackert left the department for a brief time, but returned in the summer of 1985 as a firefighter. He was again promoted to lieutenant and in 1990 was promoted to battalion chief. Chief Knackert is currently assigned to the department's C-shift. In his spare time, Chief Knackert enjoys traveling, water sports, working on his house and weight lifting.