(Palm Bay)–Palm Bay City Manager Sue Hann announced the appointment of Jim Stables as Fire Chief to replace outgoing Chief Steve Abraira who has accepted a position with the City of Boston, Massachusetts. Stables begins his service on December 3rd.
Chief Stables worked for the City of Palm Bay for nearly 16 years before resigning his position as Assistant Chief in late September to accept the Chief’s position in Ormond Beach, Fl.
When Chief Abraira unexpectedly resigned in mid November, it left open the one position to which Chief Stables had aspired to achieve throughout his career.
“Although I regret that I will be leaving Ormond Beach so soon, the opportunity for me to return home and lead the Palm Bay Fire Rescue Department may not ever happen again,” said Stables. “I have been a part of the Palm Bay community for many years. I appreciate the chance to be a part of the City’s new leadership team.”
Palm Bay City Manager Sue Hann commented “what really makes Chief Stables exactly right for Palm Bay is his ability to build strong partnerships. The Palm Bay Fire Rescue Department is a community asset and will be at the forefront of public safety services under his leadership.”
She also noted his long-term ties to the community and his outstanding reputation as a fire service professional. Hann pointed to Stables’ history of consensus building and collaboration as one of his strongest credentials. “He will bring a teamwork perspective to meeting the challenges the City faces now and in the future.”
Stables began his career in the fire service in 1985, working with Brevard County and Palm Bay over the past 26 years. In June 2010, Stables earned the Chief Fire Officer designation from the Commission on Professional Credentialing (CPC). The CPC is an entity of the Center for Public Safety Excellence and it only awards the credentials to professionals who meet all of the organization’s stringent criteria including education, experience, professional development, technical competencies, and community involvement.
“This is the pinnacle for Jim,” said Deputy City Manager Chad Shoultz. “He doesn’t just want to be a fire chief, he wants to be Palm Bay’s fire chief, and that says a lot about his dedication and desire to serve this City.”
Chief Stables submitted his resignation to the City of Ormond Beach on Monday to be effective December 2nd. Chief Stables said, “the decision to leave Ormond Beach was difficult, but in the end it is the right decision – to return home and become the Fire Chief in Palm Bay, where I started my firefighting career, is truly humbling and very exciting!” Palm Bay Fire Rescue currently employs 138 personnel and operates with a budget of $13.2 million. The City operates 5 fire stations within approximately 100 square miles.