Brian Blizzard Named Incoming Coconut Creek Fire Chief

by David Volz September 19, 2024

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Brian Blizzard Named Incoming Coconut Creek Fire Chief

Brian Blizzard is the new Coconut Creek Fire Chief. {Coconut Creek Fire Dept}

Brian Blizzard has been named the incoming Coconut Creek Fire Chief.

During the September 12 meeting, city manager Sheila Rose announced that Blizzard would become chief after the current chief, Jeff Gary, retires at the end of October.

According to Yvonne Lopez, spokesperson for Coconut Creek, Blizzard began with the city as an assistant fire chief on June 21, 2021, and was part of the inaugural team that established the new department.

Blizzard’s journey in emergency services began in 1986 as a volunteer firefighter with the Plantation Fire Department. His dedication led him to work for an ambulance service that provided emergency transport for Broward County EMS. According to city information, he is proud of the volunteer training certificate he received from Plantation.

In 1991, he was hired by the St. Lucie County Fire District as a paramedic firefighter. According to the city, he completed over 30 years of service and became Assistant Fire Chief, responsible for over 450 firefighters and civilians.

Blizzard has a master’s in public administration from Nova Southeastern University and a bachelor’s in organizational management from Warner University. He graduated from the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program (EFOP). According to the city, Blizzard is designated as a Chief Fire Officer (CFO) by the Center for Public Safety Excellence Commission on Fire Accreditation International.

Blizzard has been married to Shari for over 28 years and has three children: Austin, Lexi, and Jake.

According to Lopez, his goals for the department will be addressed at a later date.

Commissioner John Brodie believes Blizzard is good for Coconut Creek. “I think Jeff did a good job. The firefighting community respects Blizzard,” he said.

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David Volz

David Volz has worked as a writer in South Florida for 35 years. He has written for the Sun-Sentinel, Hollywood Gazette, School Transportation News, South Dade News Leaders, Observer among others. He has an MA in Communications from Florida Atlantic University and a BA in Communications from Valparaiso University. Volz teaches Communications at Miami Dade College and Palm Beach State College. He lives in Coral Springs and enjoys running and participating in 5Ks and half-marathons.