Fire & Life Safety Management

The goal of prevention is to reduce and prevent loss of life and property resulting from fire.  We strive to accomplish this goal by providing the community with safety measures and services that ensure the public has a safe environment in which to work, shop, live and visit.

Welcome to Fire & Life Safety!

We would like to introduce ourselves and hope the information in these pages is informative and helpful to you. If you need to contact any of us please click on the email link or call our office at (727) 541-0713 Monday through Friday 8-5pm.

Deputy Chief Ray Hansen Chief Hansen began his career with the Pinellas Park Fire Department in 1981 as a firefighter/EMT. In 1982 he became certified as a firefighter/paramedic and in 1992 he was promoted to the rank of Fire Lieutenant. In 2000, he accepted the position of District Chief/Training in which he oversaw all fire training for the department. He became Deputy Chief / Fire & Life Safety Management in 2007 and serves as the City's Fire Marshal. Chief Hansen holds State of Florida certifications as Fire Fighter/EMT, Fire Officer, Fire Service Instructor and Fire Safety Inspector. He is also certified in Incident Command Instruction, Hazardous Materials Instruction, Health & Safety for the Fire Service. He holds an associates degree in Fire Science from St Pete College. He has attended many courses at the National Fire Academy in Maryland and is currently enrolled in the Executive Fire Officer Program. Contact Chief Hansen - rhansen@pinellas-park.com

District Chief Guy Keirn Chief Keirn began his career with the Pinellas Park Fire Department in 1984 as a firefighter/EMT. He was promoted to Fire Lieutenant in 1998. He accepted the position of District Chief / Training in 2007. In his present position, Guy is responsible for all fire training within the department. He holds Florida certifications as Firefighter/EMT, Fire Officer, Fire Instructor III, Fire Safety Inspector, and Hazardous Materials Technician. Guy has a B.A from Eckerd College and attends the National Fire Academy in Maryland. Contact Chief Keirn - gkeirn@pinellas-park.com Click here for training information

Fire Lieutenant Gary Berkheimer Lieutenant Berkheimer first came to Pinellas Park in 1999. Left for a brief time to work for the St Petersburg Fire Department. He returned in 2003. He is a certified Fire Safety Inspector, Arson Investigator, and Firefighter. He holds a associates degree in Crime Scene Investigation from St Pete College. Gary's duties include assisting with managing the fire inspections and investigations programs, and oversees the plans review process. Contact Lt. Berkheimer - gberkheimer@pinellas-park.com Click here for Fire Prevention Information

Fire Inspector/Investigator Greg Banghart Greg began his employment with the City in 1990 in the Recreation Division. In 1999 he came to the fire department as a Florida Certified Fire Safety Inspector. He became a certified firefighter in 2000 and also holds a certification in Arson Investigation. Greg's duties involve conducting fire safety inspections, plans review and fire investigations. Contact Inspector Banghart - gbanghart@pinellas-park.com

Fire Inspector/Investigator Michael Jackson Michael came to the department in 2006 after retiring from the St Petersburg Fire Department. He served 26 years with St Petersburg and rose to the rank of Fire Lieutenant. Currently Michael holds Florida certifications  as Fire Safety Inspector, Arson Investigator, Fire Officer, and Fire Service Instructor. Michael earned a B.A. from the University of Florida and a Master's from Trinity Bible College. Michael's duties involve fire safety inspections, plans review, and fire investigations. Contact Inspector Jackson - mjackson@pinellas-park.com

Public Education Specialist Suzanne Boisvert Suzanne Boisvert has been a Public Education Specialist with the Pinellas Park Fire Department since 1998. Her work involves creating, organizing, scheduling and presenting fire and life safety programs to people of all ages within the Pinellas Park community. Suzanne is a Nationally Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician and is a member of the Pinellas County Child Passenger Safety Committee, Florida Fire and Life Safety Educators Association, Emergency Safety Educators Association, and currently serves as Chairperson of the Florida Suncoast Safekids Coalition. She is a Senior Correspondent for 1st Responder News and contributes to Florida Fire Service Today magazine. Suzanne is a native of South Carolina and earned a B.A. in Journalism from the University of South Carolina and an A.A. from Spartanburg Methodist College. She continues to pursue professional level education classes at the National Fire Academy and Emergency Management Institute in Maryland.  Suzanne is passionate about all aspects of injury prevention and believes there is no better cause than working together to keep our children safe. Contact Suzanne - sboisvert@pinellas-park.com  Click here for Public Education Information

Public Education Specialist Ashley Marchese Ashley started her career with Pinellas Park Fire Department in 2004.  Her work involves creating, organizing, scheduling and presenting fire and life safety programs to people of all ages within the Pinellas Park Community. Ashley is an American Heart Association BLS Instructor. In 2001 she became a National Child Passenger Safety Technician, and in 2005, completed all requirements to become a Technician Instructor. She is the a member of Suncoast SAFE KIDS coalition, Emergency Safety Educators Association, Florida Fire & life Safety Educators Association, and co-chair of the SAFE KIDS Pinellas County Child Passenger Safety Committee.  Ashley has her BA from the University of South Florida.  She continues to pursue professional education classes at the National Fire Academy.  Contact Ashley - amarchese@pinellas-park.com

Staff Assistant Carolyn Garren Carolyn has been an employee of the City of Pinellas Park since May 16, 1990.  She has remained in Life Safety Management (Fire Prevention) during this time. Carolyn is responsible for numerous job duties, which include assisting a staff of 8 other personnel.  They include the Deputy Fire Chief, the Training Chief, 1 Fire Lieutenant, 2 Fire Inspectors, 2 Public Education Specialists, and 1 Administrative Clerk. Carolyn handles all the billings and billing records which generate from Life Safety.  They include false alarms, hydrant flow tests, burning permits, and any fire inspections relating to the City Administrative Fee Schedule. Carolyn also records the Daily Training Records for Suppression, keeps the Hydrant Flow Records up-to-date, and maintains the Monthly Stats for Life Safety.

Administrative Clerk Sally Priest Sally has held numerous positions throughout the City of Pinellas Park since 1987 which has included   Risk Management, Planning, and Police Records.  But her heart has always remained close to the Fire Department where she has worked for a total of 15 years.  In her current position in Life Safety Management, she meets and greets the public, answers the telephone, sends faxes, processes the mail, reviews inspection reports of businesses for accuracy and completeness, enters those reports into the County and City computers, monitors/maintains the office supplies and equipment, files and  maintains the filing system,  processes public records requests, etc.