Fire Rescue Chief & Director of Emergency Management Darrel Donatto

Deputy Chief DonattoFire Rescue Chief Donatto has over 41 years of fire service experience, serving the past 23+ of those years as a chief officer. He has been with Palm Beach Fire Rescue for the past 16 years. Prior to joining the Department, he worked for the City of Riviera Beach Fire Rescue for 18 years, retiring as their Deputy Fire Chief.


He has a Master’s of Business Administration degree, Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Leadership, and Associate of Science degree in Fire Science and Emergency Medical Services. He also holds an Executive Certificate in Business Analytics from Florida Atlantic University. He is a Florida certified Firefighter, Paramedic, Fire Inspector, and Fire Instructor III.

Chief Donatto is an active member of International Association of Fire Chiefs and the Florida Fire Chief's Association (FFCA). He is the Past-President of the FFCA, as well as the Chair of the FFCA Government Relations Committee. He is the past President of the Fire Chiefs Association of Palm Beach County. He also currently serves on the Governing Board of St. Mary’s Medical Center. He currently serves on the Florida League of Cities Legislative Committee. In addition, he is an active participant on the Palm Beach Civic Association’s Health Care Committee and Public Safety Committee.

Chief Donatto is the 2017 recipient of the Fire Chief of the Year Award from the Southeastern Association of Chiefs and is the 2016 recipient of the Fire Chief of the Year Award from the Florida Fire Chiefs' Association.