Fire Chief Eloy Ricardo leads North Collier Fire Rescue’s all-hazards emergency response operations, providing executive oversight of fire suppression, rescue, emergency medical services, life safety, and administrative functions. Central to Chief Ricardo’s leadership approach is a “Service First” philosophy, which guides decision-making and reflects a commitment to providing the highest level of service to the community.
Chief Ricardo began his career with the District in 2001 as a Firefighter and advanced through the ranks of Lieutenant, Inspector, and Assistant Chief of Life Safety before being appointed Fire Chief. His progression reflects a leadership style grounded in public accountability and a focus on the best interests of District residents.
Among Chief Ricardo’s notable accomplishments is his leadership in the integration of District and Collier County plan review services within the County’s Growth Management Department, creating a streamlined, one-stop process for residents, builders, and developers. He also played a key role in the development of state legislation authorizing the voluntary merger of special fire districts, legislation later utilized in the 2015 merger of the North Naples Fire Control and Rescue District and the Big Corkscrew Island Fire Control and Rescue District.
Originally from New York and raised in Miami, Chief Ricardo brings more than two decades of public service experience to his role. His professional affiliations include the Collier County Fire and EMS Chiefs’ Association, Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association, Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association, International Association of Fire Chiefs, International Association of Firefighters, Florida Association of Special Districts, and the National Association of State Fire Marshals. By peer nomination, he also served for more than thirteen years as District Vice President of the Florida Professional Firefighters.
Chief Ricardo is deeply committed to community engagement. Since 2011, he has volunteered as an assistant football coach at Gulf Coast High School, helping lead the program to its first district championship in 2017. This involvement inspired the creation of the Helmet to Heroes program, which mentors high school athletes interested in careers in fire service, EMS, and law enforcement. The program has successfully graduated participants from both firefighter and EMT academies. He has also served on the Executive Board of the Pop Warner Naples Hurricanes Youth Football Association and participated in a Florida International Volunteer Corps mission to Nicaragua, providing fire service training to local responders.
Chief Ricardo’s leadership has been recognized at the state level. Under his executive oversight, the District’s training academy received State of Florida Fire Training Center of the Year recognition in 2015, 2018, and 2025. In 2017, he was named State of Florida Professional Firefighter of the Year, becoming the first firefighter from Collier County to receive the honor.
Chief Ricardo holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Fire Administration from Columbia Southern University.