St. Lucie County - Thursday January 16, 2023: St. Lucie County Fire District Chief Nate Spera is retiring after 32 years on the job.
"I can say with pride that seeing the growth and improved professionalism of this agency has been an inspirational and rewarding experience," said In a statement posted on the Fire District's Facebook page Wednesday Chief Spera. "We thank our community for their ongoing support, and we will continue to work every day to earn your confidence in us as a premier fire rescue agency serving a great and diverse community."
The Chief also announced the selection of Assistant Fire Chief Jeffery Lee as his successor as the Fire Chief of the St. Lucie County Fire District.
Assistant Fire Chief Lee will become the 14th Fire Chief of St. Lucie County effective May 1.
In his retirement announcement Chief Spera said over the past five and a half years the Department has pursued a culture of constant improvement that has been recognized through the International Accreditation process. Those improvements have included increased staffing, improved service delivery, numerous equipment enhancements, firefighter safety policy improvements, and expanded employee recruitment and retention.
Chief Spera credited Deputy Chief Lee for being "at the forefront of these improvements both in their development and delivery." He said Deputy Chief Lee "will be a catalyst that will advance our agency into the future."
Among the growth and improvements planned for the future said the Chief are "the construction of three new fire stations in as many years, and further staffing enhancements to better serve" the growing community.
