Bruce Stoll
Administrator

Prior to moving to the Keys
Bruce grew up in a small New York town on the east end of Long Island’s wine country. He worked all through high school as a veterinary assistant. It was his love of caring for animals that eventually led to his love of caring for the sick and injured. After graduating High School he tried his hand as a professional house painter but the cold weather and cloudy days pushed him south to the fabulous Florida Keys. He was actually on his way to California by way of Big Pine to visit some high school friends and after a week on Big Pine Key, he decided to make the Keys his new home. A close friend once told him, “You don’t have sand in your shoes, you have coral dust in your blood.” 

Professional Life and Affiliations
He arrived in the keys in 1975 and after a very short time he knew immediately that this small chain of islands would be where he would spend his life. His first job in the Keys set his career path in emergency medicine, working as an ambulance driver at Fisherman’s Hospital. Bruce became infatuated with the fact that he could make a difference and save lives. His training began with advanced first aid and CPR and was soon teaching CPR to the community.  In 1979 he graduated as an Emergency Medical Technician from Florida Keys Community College and In 1980 he went on to graduate from the Florida Fire Academy and accepted a position with Pembroke Pines Fire Dept. In 1982 he joined the Navy, and trained as a Hospital Corpsman and field medic with the Marines, graduating third in his class.

After four long years he was honorably discharged in May of 1986 and wasted no time in getting back to the keys. He received his Paramedic Certification from Miami-Dade Community College, graduating second in his class and was soon hired by Monroe County EMS where he worked until 1995. During his time with Monroe County he was promoted to the position of Field training officer. He also developed Monroe County’s EMS’s Safety program and served as Safety officer. He finished his career with Monroe County as a shift supervisor. He also worked on several committees to improve and upgrade the County’s Medical protocols, sat on interview panels for new hires and worked on committees for designing and purchasing
new ambulances. After leaving the County again he worked with Florida Regional EMS and Marion County Fire Rescue. His goal at that time was to see if he was marketable else were within the state of Florida.  Bruce returned to the Keys in 1999 accepting a position with Islamorada Fire Rescue. He retired from Islamorada as the Assistant Fire Chief in 2009. Bruce spent many hours in the Islamorada Emergency Operations Center as Operations Chief during the 04 - 05 hurricane seasons alongside several other dedicated staff of the Islamorada Fire Department. He also attended the
University of Maryland’s National Fire Academy, received his fire safety inspector’s certification, and took several specialized courses during his time there.  Bruce is currently a member of the Southeastern Association of Fire Chiefs, Florida Fire Chief’s Association, the Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors organization, and the Florida Association of Fire and Life Safety Educators.

Community Affiliations
Bruce was a member of the Jaycee’s in Marathon during the 90’s. He is currently a member and Deacon of Kirk of the Keys where he attends Church in Marathon.

Bruce has three children, one grandchild and his daughter will be delivering his second grandchild this summer. Some of his many passions in addition to fire rescue and emergency medical services are working as a professional photographer, fishing and spear fishing with his two sons and motorcycling around the country.

He believes that he will bring a good balance to the District as the liaison between the Board and the Departments and is looking forward to his new assignments.

Welcome Bruce!