The Broward Sheriff’s Office is once again making history as Sheriff Gregory Tony announces the appointment of the first Caribbean-American as the next chief of fire rescue following the retirement of Fire Chief Joseph Fernandez.
“I am pleased to announce the promotion of Deputy Chief Gregory Holness, a pillar in the Caribbean-American community, to chief of the Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue and Emergency Services Department,” Sheriff Tony said. “Throughout his 37-year career he has demonstrated sound leadership and is highly respected by BSO employees.”
Chief Holness began his career in 1983 as a paramedic and a member of the then Broward County Emergency Medical Services, which later merged with the Broward Fire Department to become Broward County Fire Rescue and in 2003 became part of the Broward Sheriff’s Office to become Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue and Emergency Services. During that time, Chief Holness rose through the ranks serving as a captain, acting battalion chief, operations district chief, assistant chief and most recently deputy chief of administration.
Chief Holness has had many assignments that essentially began in 1994, when he was transferred from the field while working as a training officer to the Logistics Bureau where his responsibilities included the review, specification and purchase of fire and EMS equipment. He was also the primary architect of a nationally recognized Regional Logistics Program still currently in existence. His additional achievements included the co-development of the Common EMS Protocol as well as many trade journal contributions and assisting in the development of a national standard on airway management. He was promoted to assistant chief in 2004 and transitioned to oversee areas such as Support Services and the operational districts of Lauderdale Lakes, Central Broward and Port Everglades.
Chief Holness has a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership from Saint Thomas University and is a graduate and past vice president of the BSO Executive Leadership Program. He is also a graduate of Florida International University’s Strategic Management Institute as well as the Florida Emergency Services Leadership Institute. Chief Holness currently is a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs and Florida Fire Chief’s Association. Throughout his career, Chief Holness has received numerous commendations from municipal and civic organizations, not-for-profit enterprises as well as local public schools. In 2013, he was selected as the Community Partner of the Year by Boyd Anderson High School in Lauderdale Lakes for his contributions to the educational community.
