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Command Staff

Eloy Ricardo

Fire Chief

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Meet Chief Ricardo

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.

Michael Jimenez

Deputy Chief

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As Deputy Chief for North Collier Fire Control and Rescue District, Michael Jimenez oversees various divisions including Operations, Life Safety & Fire Prevention and Essential Services comprised of Fleet, Logistics and Facilities. 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

Deputy Chief

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Jorge Aguilera is a Deputy Chief for the North Collier Fire Control and Rescue District.

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.

James Hammond

Assistant Chief of Operations

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With the District since 1997 after being hired as a Firefighter, Chief James “Reggie” Hammond has played a role in protecting the residents of our community for more than two decades.

Chief Hammond’s advancement through the ranks can be based on leadership traits developed over the years – traits that include integrity, relationship building and problem solving. These attributes are essential in directing the District’s more than 200 Firefighter/EMTs and Firefighter/Paramedics in their emergency response efforts.

Striving to go above and beyond, Chief Hammond’s history with the District includes participation in the Hazmat Special Team, the Marine Emergency Response Team (MERT) Special Team and the Honor Guard program which he directed for six years.  Additionally, Chief Hammond was integral in coordinating the District’s outreach program for educating rural residents on how to protect their homes during brush fire season.

Chief Hammond’s management philosophy relies on an approach that is fair, but straightforward. He continually strives to honor long held traditions of the fire service while integrating innovative approaches that support North Collier Fire Rescue’s mission of remaining a leader in emergency response.

Understanding the importance of giving back to his community, Chief Hammond enlisted as part of the Golisano Children’s Hospital transport team where he served as administrative medic, helping to draft the transport program so crucial to getting children to and from the hospital in their time of need. His work with Golisano earned him the Commitment to Excellence award from the hospital.

Education includes an Associate’s degree in Fire Science. Chief Hammond is currently pursuing his Bachelor’s degree in Fire Administration with anticipated completion in 2022.

Matthew Trent

Assistant Chief of Training & Professional Development

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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 at Walden University.  Matthew has been designated Chief Fire Officer (CFO) by the Center for Professional Safety Excellence (CPSE) and Member Grade (MIFireE) by the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE). 

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 a contract instructor for the National Fire Academy (NFA), teaching coursework in the upper division baccalaureate Fire Prevention Management program and a National Incident Management System (NIMS) instructor with the Florida State Emergency Response Team (SERT).

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

Michael Coxwell

Assistant Chief of Life Safety & Prevention

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As Assistant Chief for North Collier Fire Control and Rescue District, Michael Coxwell commands the District’s Life Safety & Prevention division charged with the mission of minimizing the risk of life and property loss from fire by controlling and eliminating hazardous conditions before a fire occurs.

Chief Coxwell leads a team that includes Fire Inspectors, Fire Plan Examiners, Public Education Officers and Fire Marshal, all working together to ensure the public protection of life and property.

Hailing originally from southern California and beginning his career with the District in 1999 as a Firefighter, Chief Coxwell has progressively moved up through the ranks to his current position.

Chief Coxwell’s management style is based on a team approach that emphasizes both task and interpersonal relationships that create a productive working environment.  Chief Coxwell further underscores the importance of customer service coupled with cross-training of staff to ensure the most efficient and beneficial delivery of service to the constituents the District serves.

Education includes an Associate’s of Science degree in both Fire Service Technology and Emergency Medical Services Technician.

 

 

Kristofer Thomas

Assistant Chief of Essential Services

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As Assistant Chief for North Collier Fire Control and Rescue District, Kristofer Thomas oversees the District’s Essential Services division comprised of Fleet, Logistics and Facilities.

Chief Thomas’ long history with the department provides a solid foundation for the Essential Services division, the backbone infrastructure that keeps all District operations running efficiently.  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.

Ben Van Klingeren

Chief Financial Officer

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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

Deputy Director of Executive Administrative Services

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As Deputy Director of Communications for North Collier Fire Rescue, Lori Freiburg oversees various administrative functions including internal and external communications for the District.

A sixth generation South Floridian, Lori has been a business professional in Naples since 1990, including with The Ritz-Carlton, Naples hotel where she sharpened and refined customer service skills made infamous by the renowned luxury hotel chain.  Additionally, Lori worked nearly a decade in the marketing arena for a Naples’ luxury developer of high-rises and resort communities.

Armed with the understanding that service excellence, both internal and external, provides for happier and fulfilled employees and customers, Lori focuses on systems and processes to enable employee success and customer loyalty.

Lori received her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Piedmont College in Georgia.  She is also certified by the Florida Association of Special Districts as a Certified District Manager and has completed various training including Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

Eric Bocock

Deputy Director of Network Administration

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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.