Chief Neal de Jesus began his fire service career 42 years ago as a Firefighter in Sarasota County, FL before moving on to Coral Gables where he held ranks ranging from Firefighter Paramedic to Fire Chief. After retiring Chief de Jesus spent several years serving as a City Commissioner and President of The Diversified Group Consulting before returning to the Fire Service as Fire Chief and Executive Director of the Broward Sheriff‘s Office Fire Rescue and Emergency Services. After leaving BSOFR, Neal took helm as the Fire Chief for the City of Delray Beach Fire Rescue. After a year of serving as Fire Chief Neal was appointed Interim City Manager for 13 months before returning to the position of Fire Chief. One year later he was asked to assume the role of Interim City Manager once again, this time for 14 months before again returning to Fire Chief. Chief de Jesus retired with over 42 years of public service and has resumed the role of President and Managing Partner of Diversified Group Consulting, LLC,. The firm exists to provide professional support to city, county, state, and federal governments as well as Fire Rescue, Emergency Medical, Emergency Management, Law Enforcement and Detention, agencies in the areas of, but not limited to: Company Officer Development, Chief Officer Development, Leadership Development, Technical Rescue, Tactical Medical, Vehicle Extrication, Administrative Services, Human Resources, Organizational Assessment, Contract Negotiations, and Contract Management Additionally, as the principal of Diversified Group Consulting, Neal represents business owners, contractors and developers with Government and Fire Rescue related matters as well as policy development, vulnerability threat assessments, all hazard plans and risk management. Neal has served as Chair and member of many local, state, and national, committees, including: the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) the Florida State Fire College Technical Rescue Curriculum Review Committee, the Florida Fire Firefighters Employment Standards and Training Council, the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Transportation Emergency Rescue Committee (TERC), the World Rescue Organization (WRO) the Broward County Ethics Commission, and the Broward League of Cities Training and Education Committee, the Broward County Planning Council, Broward County Consolidated Communications Committee, the Florida Bar Grievance Committee and the Management and Efficiency Study Committee. As a member of the Florida Fire Chiefs Association, he served as Southeastern Regional Director, 2nd Vice President, 1st Vice President. Before retiring, Chief de Jesus was elected to President of the Florida Fire Chiefs Association and as the President of the Fire Chiefs Association of Palm Beach County. Additionally, Neal is a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the Metro Fire Chiefs’ Association, Southeastern Association of Fire Chiefs and the National Society of Executive Fire Officers. Neal has attended Miami-Dade College, the University of Cincinnati, the University of Maryland, and the National Fire Academy where he graduated from the Executive Fire Officer Program in 1999. Neal has facilitated multiple courses on behalf of FFCA for the Emergency Services Leadership Institute throughout the State of Florida. He has also served as an Adjunct Instructor for Miami Dade Fire College, Miami Dade Medical College, Broward Fire Academy, and University of Miami Medical Training and Simulation Lab. Neal is also a presenter on leadership and organizational development at local, state, national and international conferences and symposiums in addition to teaching as a contract instructor for the Florida State Fire College.
Chief de Jesus has competed, instructed and assessed in the field of Vehicle Extrication at the local, regional, national and international level