Charlotte County has appointed Matthew McElroy as fire chief and public safety director for Charlotte County Public Safety, formally elevating the longtime department leader after he served as acting fire chief since Oct. 31.
McElroy brings more than two decades of operational and leadership experience within Charlotte County Fire & EMS, where he began his career in 2002. Over the years, he worked across multiple stations and specialized units, including special operations and marine operations. While assigned to Marine Operations, he was named Firemedic of the Year and later promoted to lieutenant in both marine and special operations divisions.
Charlotte County promoted veteran Matthew McElroy to fire chief and public safety director.
Charlotte County government
He advanced to battalion chief, first leading training before moving into a shift battalion role while continuing to support marine operations. In 2024, McElroy was promoted to deputy chief, positioning him to take on broader departmental leadership before stepping into the acting chief role late last year.
As fire chief and public safety director, McElroy will oversee all divisions within Charlotte County Public Safety, including Fire & EMS, Animal Control and Radio Communications. His responsibilities will include strategic leadership, operational oversight, emergency readiness and expanding community risk reduction initiatives.
“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.”
McElroy began his public service career in 1991 in the Navy as a hospital corpsman attached to the First Reconnaissance Marines before transitioning into the fire service in 1997 with the Port Orange Fire Department.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in public safety administration from St. Petersburg College and associate degrees in EMS and arts. A Florida-certified fire instructor for 15 years, McElroy also developed the nationally recognized Rapid Diver Program.
“Serving this department and community has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” McElroy said. “ … I am proud to continue building on that foundation and leading our team as we protect the people and places we call home.”