OFFICIALS of the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services have expressed support for Senate Bill 24-33, the legislation to rename the titles of the department’s top officials.
Authored by Senate President Dennis James Mendiola, S.B. 24-33 seeks to change the title of the DFEMS head from “commissioner” to “fire chief,” and that of “deputy commissioner” to “assistant fire chief.”
In a joint letter to the Senate president, DFEMS Deputy Commissioner Steve Mesngon and other officers said they strongly support the bill, which “reflects a much-needed modernization and clarification of leadership titles within the fire service.”
The proposed change, they said, aligns the titles with widely recognized and standardized terminology used by fire departments across the nation. “Fire chief,” the title universally understood by the public, emergency response partners, and government entities, will foster clearer communication, greater organizational transparency, and stronger public trust, according to DFEMS leadership.
By adopting titles that directly reflect operational roles and responsibilities, the fire officials added, S.B. 24-33 also supports professional development and career progression within the department, offering clarity for both internal personnel and the communities they serve.
Moreover, they said, the changes can help reduce confusion in interagency coordination during critical emergency operations.
