FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FEBRUARY 28, 2022
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: LISA HOLDER, COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
407.688.5019 • LISA.HOLDER@SANFORDFL.GOV
Sanford City Manager Norton Bonaparte today announced that he has promoted Ronnie
McNeil to be Sanford’s new Fire Chief.
“It is an honor and privilege to serve the City of Sanford as your new Fire Chief. The Sanford
Fire Department remains steadfast and focused on providing the Sanford community with
the highest quality and respectful level of service,” said Chief McNeil.
Ronnie McNeil,Jr. was born and raised in Sanford and graduated from Seminole High School
in 1996. He attended Seminole State College where he earned his Firefighter and EMT
certification later completing Paramedic School and his Associates Degree in Fire Science.
The Sanford Fire Department hired Ronnie McNeil in 2000 where he successfully progressed
through the ranks. McNeil received his Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Science from Columbia
Southern University in 2011. In 2013, he was promoted to the rank of Deputy Fire Chief.
Chief McNeil also actively teaches at Seminole State College as an adjunct Fire Instructor.
During his fire career, Chief McNeil has accomplished several certifications to include Fire
Officer IV, Fire Instructor III and Fire Inspector II. McNeil has also extensive emergency
management experience, serving on several deployments with the State of Florida as the
Co-Commander of Region 5’s All Hazards Incident Management Team. Those deployments
included Hurricane Michael in the panhandle as well as the COVID-19 response to Fort
Lauderdale, Florida. McNeil holds two State of Florida Certifications as an All-Hazards
Division Supervisor and Operations Sections Chief.
Chief McNeil is a second generation Firefighter, the son of Ronnie McNeil, Sr. who honorably
served the Sanford Fire Department and City of Sanford for 25 years, retiring as Lieutenant.
The City of Sanford Fire Department is one of the oldest fire departments in the State of
Florida, consisting of three fire stations providing services to the City of Sanford and
surrounding communities since 1873.
