Command Staff

As Fire Chief, Eloy Ricardo directs North Collier Fire Rescue’s all-hazards response efforts. A fundamental element to Ricardo’s management style is the Service First philosophy that guides him in all aspects of his personal and professional life and provides for the highest level of service to the community he serves.

Ricardo’s history with the District began in 2001 as a Firefighter.  His leadership capabilities, coupled with the understanding that the wisest decisions are based on the best interests of the constituents served, propelled him upward through the ranks from Firefighter, Lieutenant, Inspector and Assistant Chief of Life Safety to his current position of Fire Chief.  Notable achievements under Ricardo’s command includes the 2014 integration of North Collier and Collier County plans reviewers at the County’s Growth Management office in order to provide one-stop, efficient and seamless service to area residents, builders, and developers. Additionally, in 2010, Ricardo was a driving force behind the development of legislation providing for the voluntary merger of special districts – legislation that later was utilized in the 2015 North Naples Fire-Big Corkscrew Island Fire merger.

Hailing originally from New York state, and then Miami since his youth, Ricardo’s more than two decades of experience as a public servant expands well beyond the confines of North Collier Fire. Affiliations include the Collier County Fire & EMS Chiefs’ Association, Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association, Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association, International Association of Fire Chiefs, International Association of Firefighters, Florida Association of Special Districts and the National Association of State Fire Marshals. Moreover, by the nomination of his peers, Ricardo also served as District Vice President for the Florida Professional Firefighters for more than thirteen years.

Understanding the importance of community, Ricardo has volunteered as an assistant football coach at Gulf Coast High School since 2011, leading the school to their first district championship in 2017. This engagement with his community’s youth inspired Ricardo to create the Helmet to Heroes program that mentors area high school football players interested in fire, EMS or law enforcement to realize careers as first responders. The program has already graduated students from both firefighter and EMT academies.  Additionally, Ricardo has assisted on the Executive Board of the Pop Warner Naples Hurricanes Youth Football Association. Beyond the Naples community, Ricardo’s volunteerism included a Florida International Volunteer Corp trip to Nicaragua to teach locals firefighting, an inspirational journey as Ricardo notes.

Recognition includes 2015 and 2018 State of Florida Training Center of Year for which Ricardo oversees as well as the 2017 State of Florida Professional Firefighter of the Year, the first Collier County Firefighter to receive the award.

Chief Ricardo has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Fire Administration from Columbia Southern University.

As Deputy Chief for North Collier Fire Control and Rescue District, Michael Jimenez oversees the Operations division of the District.  With the District since 2001, Chief Jimenez’ long history and his extensive understanding of the department is invaluable.  His decisive yet constructive and supportive approach to problem solving provides the needed framework for sound decision making for his divisions.

Born and raised in Miami, Chief Jimenez completed firefighter school at the age of 21. After fire school graduation, Jimenez was immediately hired by the District as an Inspector, a position he held for three years.

From there, Jimenez transferred to the Operations division as a Firefighter where he progressively moved up through the ranks from Firefighter to Battalion Chief of Training. In this position, Jimenez managed all training for the department’s firefighters. Additionally, he coordinated the training for the District’s firefighter academy for ten years. During his tenure as coordinator, the academy was recognized by the State of Florida as Fire Training Center of the Year both in 2015 and 2018.

Chief Jimenez’ education includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Safety Administration.

 

Jorge Aguilera is a Deputy Chief for the North Collier Fire Control and Rescue District and oversees the District’s emergency medical services division, including patient transport.

Since 1985, Chief Aguilera has been involved in the profession of delivering Emergency Medical Services to the area beginning with Collier County Emergency Medical Services as a Paramedic and rising through the ranks to Lt. Paramedic, Flight Medic and the Division Chief of Training.

He is responsible for the development and implementation of the District’s emergency medical service program including quality assurance and compliance with all local, state and federal guidelines. His role also includes oversight and coordination for training for both of the District’s EMS and Operations’ Divisions.

In addition, he is the Chairman of the North Collier Fire Control and Rescue District EMS Council, EMS Section Representative of the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association Southwest Florida and serves as a community member on the Physicians Regional Medical Center Board of Trustee’s.   Chief Aguilera has also served as Chairman of the Collier County Injury Prevention Coalition,

Chief Aguilera earned an Associate in Science Degree in Emergency Medical Technology from Edison State College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Hodges University.

As Deputy Chief for North Collier Fire Control and Rescue District, Kristofer Thomas oversees the District’s Life Safety and Essential Services divisions .

Chief Thomas’ management approach combines attention to detail and the ability to anticipate future needs coupled with strong interpersonal and team building skill sets.

Born and raised in Miami, Chief Thomas joined the District in 1999 as a Firefighter. Thomas’ dedication and commitment to the District aided in his progressive movement upward through the ranks to his current position of Assistant Chief.

Chief Thomas’ education includes an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science.

Heather Mazurkiewicz serves as the Public Information Officer for the North Collier Fire Control & Rescue District, where she leads strategic communications, media relations, and community engagement initiatives. In this role, she oversees the District’s Community CPR program and public safety education efforts delivered throughout local schools and community organizations. Heather works closely with local and regional media, both on and off emergency scenes, and serves as the District’s official spokesperson when the Fire Chief is unavailable.

After winning a ride-along with the Cape Coral Fire Department, Heather made a mid-career transition from her role as Chief Executive Officer of the Lee Building Industry Association to pursue a career in the fire service. She entered the North Collier Fire Academy, where she became the Academy’s first female Class Leader. Heather is a Florida State Certified Firefighter and a Nationally Certified EMT, bringing both operational experience and executive-level leadership to her role.

Heather is the founder of the Florida Cancer Presumption Coalition, an organization that was dedicated to educating the public and elected officials about the need for cancer coverage for firefighters. Cancer remains the leading cause of firefighter line-of-duty deaths, and in 2019, these advocacy efforts contributed to Florida becoming the 48th state to enact cancer presumption coverage for firefighters.

Her professional recognitions include being named Florida’s Volunteer Firefighter of the Year (2019), a WGCU and Southwest Florida Community Foundation MAKER (one of 50 women recognized for community impact), Gulfshore Business Magazine’s 40 Under 40, and one of Southwest Florida’s Most Influential Women. She is a graduate of the U.S. Chamber Institute for Organizational Management (IOM) and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Southwest Florida Chamber of Commerce. Her past leadership roles include serving as Chairwoman of the Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce and President of the Goldcoast Rotary Club.

Heather holds a Bachelor’s degree in Fire Administration from Columbia Southern University and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Leadership in the Fire Service.

As Assistant Chief of EMS for North Collier Fire Control and Rescue District, Ben Rohde oversees the District’s EMS Division. With the District since 2016, Chief Rohde utilizes an analytical approach coupled with quality decision making for his role of providing high quality emergency medical training to the District’s more than 200 EMTs and Paramedics.

Chief Rohde’s career with the District began as a firefighter. With a desire to focus on emergency medical services (EMS), Rohde transferred to the EMS Division, fulfilling the role of EMS Lieutenant and then EMS Captain. In addition to training the District’s medical personnel, Chief Rohde manages all aspects of the District’s EMS program including assistint in the development of EMS policy and standard operating procedures, medical protocols, skill competencies and credentialing and oversight of the District’s Field Training Preceptors.

Rohde is a member of the Collier County EMS Council and the Collier County EMS Training Committee, both of which promote interconnectivity of medical services within Collier County. Chief Rohde was also selected as the Collier County Fire & EMS Chiefs’ Association Emergency Educator of Excellence for 2020.

Chief Rohde’s education includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science and Policy.

As Assistant Chief for North Collier Fire Control and Rescue District, Chief Trent is tasked with training program management, professional development, and succession planning. 

Matthew Trent began his fire service journey in 2006, serving as a Firefighter, Driver/Engineer, Lieutenant, and Battalion Chief with the Greater Naples Fire Rescue District.  Trent has documented success in incident and disaster management, fulfilling assignments in planning, response and recovery.

Trent holds an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science & Technology, a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Safety Administration, and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration.  Currently, he is pursuing a Doctor of Public Administration.  Matthew has been designated Chief Fire Officer (CFO) by the Center for Professional Safety Excellence (CPSE), Member Grade (MIFireE) by the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE), achieved Certified District Manager (CDM) from the Florida Association of Special Districts (FASD).

Trent holds numerous Florida certifications to include Fire Officer IV, Fire Code Administrator, Live Fire Training Instructor II, Fire Instructor III, Safety Officer, Fire Inspector II, Fire and Life Safety Educator, Hazardous Materials Technician, Fire Investigator, and Pump Operator.  In addition, he has achieved an accredited Fire Officer IV, Fire Inspector II, and Plans Examiner certification by the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications (NBFSPQ) and is a certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-B) with the State of Florida.

Trent is an active member of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), and serves on the Training and Education Section with the Florida Fire Chiefs Association (FFCA). 

 

Assistant Chief Sean Lintz serves as the Fire Marshal for the North Collier Fire Control and Rescue District, overseeing the District’s Fire Plans Examiner Office and the Life Safety & Fire Prevention Division as the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). Also, through an interlocal agreement, Lintz serves as the Fire Marshal and AHJ of Life Safety matters for the Immokalee Fire Control District. His Life Safety Division provides a variety of services that help to ensure the safety and growth management of our community including:

* New construction and existing building plan reviews and inspections
* Hydrant installations and water management
* Business license inspections
* Special event permits and inspections
* Fire investigations
* Strategic Planning and Involvement with Collier County Growth Management

Chief Lintz has been with the District since November 2006, starting as a fire inspector and advancing through the roles of Lieutenant, Captain, and Battalion Chief/Fire Marshal. In his current role, he frequently collaborates with Collier County Government, contractors, fire inspectors, and various life and safety agencies to prioritize life safety. Chief Lintz’s long tenure and dedication highlight his commitment to protecting life and property, ensuring the safety of our staff, community and visitors.

In addition to certifications for firefighter, fire inspector and fire investigator, Chief Lintz also is certified in Community Risk Reduction and holds multiple leadership certifications. Chief Lintz is the Vice President of the Collier County Fire Marshal Inspectors Association (CCFMIA) and an active member of the Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association (FFMIA), Florida Fire Chiefs Association (FFCA), and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Assistant Chief Camps oversees the District’s Special Operations division that includes Technical Rescue Response, Haz-Mat Response, Dive Rescue, Beach Rescue, Marine Emergency Response and the Lifeguard program.

Tony Camps began his career in emergency services in 1996 as an EMT/Paramedic with American Medical Response in Miami, Florida. In December 1999, Camps relocated to Naples to continue his work with Collier County EMS, and where is obtained Paramedic status.  Camps quickly advancing to Paramedic status. In 2001, he was promoted to Lieutenant while simultaneously obtaining firefighter certification by completing the Bureau of Fire Training Minimum Standards. Soon after, Camps joined the Advance Life Support (ALS) Engine program and participated in exchange programs with various fire agencies. In 2003, he joined the Special Operations Response Team (SORT), developing a strong interest in emergency medicine in unconventional and austere environments. In 2008, he qualified for and entered the SWAT Medic program, and was promoted to Battalion Chief in 2010. In this role, Chief Camps oversaw daily emergency service operations, county special operations teams, and served as a Flight Medic for MedFlight. In 2013, he was promoted to Deputy Chief, managing special operations, logistics, the CISM team, infection prevention, and emergency management for the county’s emergency medical services department. Chief Camps completed 25 years of service with Collier County EMS before joining North Collier Fire Rescue as Assistant Chief of Special Operations.

Assistant Chief Camps remains actively involved in daily operations, continuously seeking opportunities to improve community service and strengthen partnerships with internal and external stakeholders. Camps is passionate about learning new skills and perfecting his craft. He maintains numerous professional certifications, is a graduate of the Certified Public Manager program at Florida State University, and holds a bachelor’s degree in emergency services administration as well as an MBA in Human Resource Management.

A licensed CPA with a Master’s degree in Accounting/Taxation, Ben’s experience is well suited to the needs of North Collier Fire having more than fifteen years in the accounting industry, most recently as Director of Finance & Regulatory Compliance with a non-profit health center in Ft. Myers.

Prior to that, Ben worked for five years as the Finance Manager at Lehigh Acres Fire Rescue, an independent special district like NCFR. There during the most recent recession, Ben stabilized the District during extreme decreases in ad valorem revenue.

Ben’s background also includes five years as a government/non-profit auditor with Tuscan & Associates, the auditing firm for NCFR. Ben’s history with Tuscan includes work auditing North Naples Fire finances.

Ben hails from southwest Florida and has been married for 13 years to Cheryl, a grade school friend! Cheryl and Ben have two children, Jacob who is 12 and Braden who is 9.

Lori Freiburg serves as Deputy Director of Executive Administrative Services for North Collier Fire Rescue. In this role, she oversees the District’s administrative functions, including human resources, records management, and the development, implementation, and maintenance of District policies and procedures. Lori provides executive-level organizational support to ensure efficient, compliant, and well-managed operations across the District.

A sixth-generation South Floridian, Lori has worked as a business professional in Naples since 1990. Her career includes leadership roles with The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, where she developed a strong foundation in organizational excellence and service standards, as well as nearly a decade for Gulf Bay Development, the Naples-based developer of luxury high-rise and resort communities.

With a focus on process improvement, organizational structure, and operational efficiency, Lori applies proven management principles to support staff effectiveness, accountability, and consistent service delivery—both internally and to the public.

Lori holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Piedmont College in Georgia and is a Certified District Manager through the Florida Association of Special Districts.

 

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As Deputy Director of Network Administration for North Collier Fire Control and Rescue District, Eric Bocock oversees the District’s computer network systems for both emergency response and non-emergency administrative functions. From design and initial implementation to continued maintenance and support, Eric ensures seamless functioning of all network systems, a crucial requirement for the efficient operation of a first responder agency.

Eric’s career in network administration began as a hobby more than two decades ago, a hobby of building and repairing computers that eventually merged into a side business.  The valuable experience gained in this business propelled Eric to join the Information Technology department for Collier County Public Schools, where he continued growing his expertise in computer networking and servers.  During that time, he also studied for and attained Microsoft, CompTIA, and Novell certifications, and served as an instructor for Lorenzo Walker Technical Institute.

Eric gained further valuable experience in networking through the formation of his company IntegrityNETworx, a web development and information technology firm.  It was there that he developed a specialization for information technology for emergency services. 

In 2012, Eric joined North Collier Fire Control and Rescue District. He currently oversees a team of IT technicians, all working in the role of planning and implementing life-saving technologies for our community.