Fire Rescue Administration Reorganization
St. Johns County Restructures Fire Rescue Administration
The St. Johns County Fire Rescue Department has been temporarily restructured as Fire Chief R. Scott Bullard has resigned. Bullard was named Fire Chief in May 2023 to replace Chief Jeffrey Prevatt, who retired in December 2022. Battalion Chief Sean McGee will serve as Acting Fire Chief. Deputy Chief Stephanie Whaley will serve as Acting Assistant Chief and Assistant Chief Jeremy Robshaw will serve as the department’s Communications Director/Public Information Officer. The temporary restructuring takes effect on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023.
“County Administration believes the leadership assigned in the temporary restructuring will continue to move St. Johns Fire Rescue forward and operate from a mindset of supporting the operations side of the department and the professional individuals that serve in it,” Acting Fire Chief Sean McGee said.
McGee has been with St. Johns County Fire Rescue for 25 years, starting as a firefighter, and was promoted to various ranks in the department. He has served as Battalion Chief for the past 11 years.
“The County thanks Scott for his service to the community during the past 21 years in his various roles in the Fire Rescue Department,” Interim County Administrator Joy Andrews said. “As part of the County’s ongoing efforts to reshape our organization’s culture that values respect, open communication, and staying true to our commitment to promote unity and trust, we embark on a national search for a Fire Rescue leader who will play a pivotal role in embracing the principles of servant leadership. Our new fire chief will prioritize the needs of our team members, empowering them to achieve their best and ensuring their voices are heard. The issue of public safety and our commitment in terms of resources, staffing, and employee safety will remain our priority.”
The County will seek a permanent Fire Chief through a national search with the aid of a professional executive search firm and a hiring committee that will include County Administration as well as representatives from the St. Johns County Professional Firefighters and Paramedics Association.
“We support this search effort and feel that it will facilitate the values we embrace, which is pride in protecting property, lives, and the St. Johns County community,” President of the St. Johns County Professional Firefighters and Paramedics Association David Stevens said. “We are excited and grateful to be a part of the process to select the next Fire Chief.”