Digna Abello

Chief Digna Abello becomes the first woman to lead the Miami Beach Fire Department since the agency was established on Jan. 26, 1921. With her unanimous appointment, Chief Abello also becomes the first woman to serve as a municipal fire chief in the history of Miami-Dade County.

Since embarking on her career as a Miami Beach firefighter more than 19 years ago, she has been guided by a strong moral compass as well as a belief that leadership is about service for the betterment of others. From the start of her career, she quickly distinguished herself, rising through the ranks of the agency and becoming involved in all significant department matters and initiatives.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Chief Abello directed the department's comprehensive response strategy, including the agency’s vaccination program that provided inoculations to more than 13,000 vulnerable residents. Committed to excellent public service, she has overseen two rigorous accreditation cycles to maintain the agency’s prestigious ISO Class 1 rating from the Insurance Services Office, an achievement held by only slightly more than 1% of the 37,983 participating fire agencies in the United States.

While she is honored to be the first woman to serve as chief, it is her fervent hope that more women will consider careers in the fire service and aspire to leadership roles. Chief Abello is proud to serve the residents of Miami Beach, which she describes as a city with a vibrant tapestry of international culture mixed with hope, freedom and opportunity for all.