A HALF A CENTURY OF DEDICATION TO THE FIRE/RESCUE SERVICES | Chief Murphy to Retire

Michael Denis Murphy was one of those lucky ones in life who knew what he wanted to do and over the last 49 years he would apply himself to be the best in his profession.  In July of this year, he will have entered his 50th year of dedicated commitment to the Florida Fire Service.  He announced his plans for retirement in a memo to staff and community members yesterday. 

Shortly after, he will hang up his helmet, put away his boots and begin a well-deserved retirement as he begins to write the next chapters in his life’s journal. He and his wife Barbara will stay in the community which they proudly call their home after moving here in 2001 when he retired as the Fire/Rescue Chief of Miramar, Florida.

Murphy came to Marco Island in 2001, after a failed attempt to convert the department into a Public Safety Department which would have seen firefighters and police officers share similar duties.  

Murphy was one of the first Florida Paramedics and a leader in pre-hospital emergency care within the fire service.  Murphy will guide the department through the 2020-2021 budget deliberation to ensure the city and his personnel continue to be provided with the enhanced services which has been a trademark during his time here 

The Coastal Breeze News will be doing an in-depth look back on Chief Murphy and the impact he has had both locally and statewide since his rookie days. We wish he and Barbara the best as they plan on traveling some in their RV later this summer.