Colleagues mourn sudden death of Fla. fire chief

Chief Joe Montopoli died in his sleep Monday night; the cause of his death was not disclosed

February 03, 2016 09:31 AM

The Sun Sentinel

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Davie Fire Rescue Chief Joe Montopoli died in his sleep Monday night, according to town officials.

The cause of his death was not disclosed Tuesday.

Montopoli, who was 57 and lived in Southwest Ranches, started his firefighting career in Pembroke Pines in 1980 and rose through the ranks to become assistant fire chief. In 1995, he was union chief during bitter contract negotiations.

Pembroke Pines Mayor Frank Ortis said Montopoli was an exemplary firefighter.

“He was a great employee, dedicated to the department and the residents and was well-known,” Ortis said. “He will be sorely missed.”

Montopoli retired from the Pines department in 2005 and was hired by Davie that same year as assistant chief of operations. He took over as chief after Don DiPetrillo was fired in August 2007.

As a boy growing up in New York City, Montopoli idolized the neighborhood firefighters. “I thought it would be an exciting way to make a living,” he said after being named chief.

A divorced father of five, he earned a bachelor’s degree in professional management from Nova Southeastern University in 2003.

Deputy Fire Rescue Chief Michael Malvasio has been appointed as acting fire rescue chief. “Chief Malvasio possesses the credentials and skills to lead during this difficult time and is surrounded by a talented leadership team,"said Town Administrator Richard J.Lemack.

Montopoli was a leader in Davie, promising to adopt non-discriminatory polices after the town settled a lawsuit brought by four female firefighters and seeking more money from the Seminole Tribe of Florida for responses to traffic accidents near its Hard Rock casino. He also served as assistant town administrator from 2008 to 2011 and acting town administrator in 2011. Montopoli was also Davie’s emergency manager.

He was an instructor at the Broward Fire Academy for many years and served on numerous boards and committees, according to town officials.

Just days ago, the town council approved a three-year firefighting contract that covers 160 firefighters and is expected to save the town approximately $1 million annually on the pension plan.

“Davie has suffered a great loss,” said Mayor Judy Paul. “Chief Montopoli was a warm and kind individual who was known and respected throughout the county.”