By Miami Herald (Florida)
Broward Sheriff Ken Jenne has chosen Joseph Lello as the new, permanent head of Broward County’s largest fire rescue department.
Lello will lead the nearly 700 members of BSO Fire Rescue as their new chief, the sheriff’s office announced today.
Lello began his fire-service career in the city of Sunrise in 1972. He served with the city of Hallandale Fire Department from 1973 to 1993. He served in all fire department ranks, including acting fire chief.
He joined the Cooper City Fire Department in 1993 as deputy fire chief. Lello was promoted to chief of that department in 1995. His service with the Broward Sheriff’s Office began in February 2004, with the merger of Cooper City Fire Department and BSO. He has served as the assistant chief in charge of the Port Everglades command since the merger.
Lello had been the interim chief since his predecessor’s departure earlier this year.
“Chief Lello has earned a reputation as one of South Florida’s leaders in fire rescue, and he has earned the respect of not only myself, but the hundreds of members of BSO Fire Rescue,” Jenne said in a prepared statement. “I look forward to his leadership during what will be an exciting period for the department.”
BSO Fire Rescue is Broward’s largest fire rescue department, serving the communities of Weston, Cooper City, Lauderdale Lakes, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Sea Ranch Lakes, Southwest Ranches, Pembroke Park, West Park. The fire department also serves Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Port Everglades and all unincorporated areas of Broward County.
BSO Fire Rescue also serves all of Broward County with its air rescue, HazMat, technical rescue, regional support as well as regional communications services.