Commissioner Joe Hernandez was appointed to the Board of Fire Commissioners seat 5. Seat 5 was vacant and  previously held by Commissioner Michael Dreikorn. He will serve until the next General Election in 2024.

Joe grew up in the South Florida Miami area where he attended grade school and married his high school sweetheart. Together, they landed on Pine Island and made SJC their forever home. Having raised 3 grown children and blessed with 5 grandchildren, they continue to navigate being Gold Star parents. He holds degrees in both Fire Science Technology and Emergency Medical Sciences. He served in Public Safety for over 30 years as a firefighter, paramedic, and staff officer beginning in the Florida Division of Forestry. He was assigned to the Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Program with the National Response System and FEMA’s South Florida Task Force II as medical chief responding to our nation’s worst disasters. Currently licensed as a paramedic in the State of Florida he continues to serve the State as a Fire Service, Technical Rescue, and Emergency Medical Services state instructor.

Joe serves as a foundation board member of both the Greater Pine Island Kiwanis Club and Medical Special Operations Community, a member of First Baptist Church of Saint James City, and Saint James City Civic Association. He was instrumental in helping the Kiwanis Children’s Park in SJC be completed.

"My vision for the Fire District's future is to support whatever is needed and ensure it continues to deliver the finest quality fire protection and emergency medical services. I want to see the department continue to impact the community and expand services as demands increase. We need to stay ahead of the growth curve and the changes coming to Pine Island with proper planning in a fiscally responsible manner. My goals are to assist staff with decreased response times, ensure the department is well equipped, continue focusing on community outreach, and bring MPICFD Advanced Life-Support (ALS) transportation to the citizens of Greater Pine Island."