On Friday, the Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department proudly announced its new Fire Chief, John Whalen, during a formal Transfer of Command Ceremony. Chief Whalen, a department veteran with 28 years of service, succeeds his close friend and former colleague, Chief Michael McNally, who has officially retired. In his new role, Chief Whalen is tasked with safeguarding not only the residents and visitors of Coral Springs and Parkland, but also the well-being of over 200 sworn personnel and administrative staff.
Chief Whalen, who has previously served as Deputy Fire Chief from February 2020 to June 2024, expressed his gratitude for this new phase. "I am very humbled and honored to lead this incredible organization and I look forward to continuing to work with the dedicated men and women who proudly serve the community," Whalen told Coral Springs' official website. His aim is to actively carry on providing exceptional service to the area's residents and visitors alike.
Having served in nearly every capacity within the fire service, including a stint as Interand Fire Chief when Frank Babinec transitioned to City Manager, Whalen is no stranger to leadership and the demands of such a vital public safety role. Babinec himself has expressed full confidence in Whalen's capabilities: "I feel confident that you will leave a lasting mark on our department and, ultimately, that you will make our community even safer for the residents we proudly serve," as per his speech at the ceremony, as reported by the Coral Springs' official website.
Before assuming his current role, John Whalen held positions such as Assistant Chief for Bravo Shift and Deputy Chief of Operations. He played a crucial role in overseeing training, EMS, and Special Operations. Whalen's commitment to significantly improving first responder safety and health was evident during his tenure as Health and Safety Officer, a role he dedicated himself to from 2015 to 2019. According to a city online news article, his initiatives included life-saving projects such as Clean Cab Design, Exposure Reduction, and Peer/Mental Health Support.
With a passion that's been illuminated both inside and outside the classroom—serving as a lead instructor at the Coral Springs Fire Academy since 2000 and playing a pivotal role in developing the EMT Program for the Coral Springs Regional Institute of Public Safety—Whalen's commitment to excellence is palpable. His leadership on Advanced Life Support Competition teams not only led to several national awards but exemplified his steadfast dedication to advancing the capabilities of the fire service.
