Charlotte County appoints Matthew McElroy as new fire chief and public safety director

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. —

Charlotte County appointed Matthew McElroy as its new fire chief and public safety director for Charlotte County Public Safety. McElroy has been serving as acting fire chief since Oct. 31.

McElroy joined the United States Navy in 1991 as a hospital corpsman. In 1997 he joined the fire service, joining the Port Orange Fire Department in Volusia County as a firefighter and advancing to a paramedic.

McElroy began his career with Charlotte County Fire & EMS in 2002, serving in several roles across multiple stations. He then joined the department's special operations and marine operations teams.

He was promoted to battalion chief and served as chief of training before transitioning to a shift battalion chief. He reached the rank of deputy chief in 2004.

“Chief McElroy has spent his career serving Charlotte County with excellence, compassion and professionalism,” said County Administrator Hector Flores. “He knows this department from the ground up and has earned the respect of the men and women he now leads. His community-focused approach and strong operational background make him the ideal person to guide our Public Safety team forward.”

In his new role, according to Charlotte County, McElroy will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight to ensure effective emergency response, firefighter safety and departmental readiness. He will focus on personnel development, interagency coordination and expanding community risk reduction programs.

“Serving this department and community has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” said Chief McElroy. “Charlotte County Fire & EMS and Charlotte County Public Safety is made up of incredible professionals who embody what it means to be community-focused, and excellence-driven. I am proud to continue building on that foundation and leading our team as we protect the people and places we call home.”

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