Meet the Team

Fire Chief – Darrel Donatto

Chief Donatto leads the Jupiter Fire Rescue Department with more than 45 years of experience in fire service. His vision for the department focuses on operational readiness, professional development, and building a team culture rooted in service, integrity, and accountability.

Donatto began his career with the Town of Palm Beach as a Battalion Chief in 2004 and oversaw three fire stations and 24 uniformed personnel. He was promoted to Division Chief of Emergency Medical Services in 2008 and to Deputy Chief in 2011.

In 2016, he was named the Florida Fire Chief’s Association Fire Chief of the Year, an honor he also received from the State of Florida, State Fire Marshall’s Office in 2017. He also earned the Southeastern Association of Fire Chiefs Fire Chief of the Year recognition in 2017 and has been honored with EMS Lifetime Achievement Award from the Palm Beach County EMS Providers Association.

Donatto has also been highly involved with the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association. In his time with the Association, Donatto has served as the chair for both the EMS Committee and Government Relations Committee while also serving as the Regional Director, Secretary/Treasurer, 2nd Vice President, 1st Vice President and President in 2019-20. He remains active with the organization and leads the legislative and rule promulgation efforts today. Donatto also works closely with the State of Florida EMS office on behalf of fire fighters and EMS personnel across Florida. His work on these committees earned him a Florida League of Cities Home Rule Hero Award in both 2022 and 2023.

Prior to the Town of Palm Beach, Donatto spent 23 years with the Riviera Beach Fire Rescue Department. He began his career as a fire fighter and paramedic in 1981 and also held the roles of Driver Engineer, Lieutenant, Division Chief of EMS and Deputy Fire Chief.

Donatto holds a Master of Business Administration from Florida Atlantic University and a Bachelors in Organizational Leadership from Mountain State University, in addition to Associate’s degrees in Emergency Medical Services and Fire Science Technology from Palm Beach State College.

Deputy Fire Chief - Stephen Shaw

Stephen Shaw accepted the position of Deputy Chief of the Jupiter Fire Rescue Department. Shaw joins JFRD after a 25 year career with Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue. Since February 2021, Shaw has served as the Assistant Chief of the Support Services Division. He previously served as Battalion Chief for the FLFR’s Emergency Medical Services Bureau and the Training & Special Ops Bureau. Shaw has been instrumental in implementing a mobile integrated health program at Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue.

Shaw has a Bachelor’s of Science in Chemistry and a Master’s of Business Administration from Florida Atlantic University as well as an Associate’s Science in Nursing from Broward College. Shaw has also worked three years as a Registered Nurse at a pair of south Florida hospitals, Plantation General and Broward Health North. He received the Chief Donald DiPetrillo Paramedic Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024 and graduated from the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer (EFO) Program in August of 2025. He also has extensive experience in a classroom setting as he served as a Paramedic Instructor at Broward College for 10 years, a Fire Academy Instructor at Coral Springs Regional Institute of Public Safety for 13 years and a Hazardous Materials Instructor at Nova Southeastern University for two years.

Deputy Chief of Administration – Michael DeStefano

Deputy Chief DeStefano will oversee all of Fire Rescue administrative functions, including budgeting, finance, data analysis and reporting, fire prevention and inspections, logistics, facility and vehicle maintenance, and internal affairs. DeStefano has over 20 years of experience in the fire service and comes to JFRD from Brevard County Fire Rescue, where he most recently served as the Assistant Chief of Professional Development.

In addition to being a state certified firefighter and paramedic, Deputy Chief DeStefano is a credentialed Chief Fire Officer by the Center for Public Safety Excellence, a certified Fire Officer IV, a certified Fire Instructor III, a certified Live Fire Training Instructor, a Blue Card Incident Command Instructor, and holds multiple technical rescue and hazardous materials response certifications. 

Deputy Chief is an accomplished author and speaker and has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor Degree in Public Administration, both from Barry University, and an Associate Degree in Fire Science from Eastern Florida State College. He is currently working towards his Doctorate in Strategic Leadership at Liberty University. DeStefano also has a postgraduate Executive Certificate in Strategic Leadership from Liberty.

Division Chief of Logistics – Kevin Martin

Kevin D. Martin serves as the Division Chief of Logistics & Support Services for the Town of Jupiter, bringing 30 years of fire service experience to the role. A passionate leader, motivator, and educator, he is dedicated to ensuring the department is equipped, prepared, and supported to provide world-class service to the community. His career includes leadership positions with the City of Punta Gorda, City of Palm Bay, and City of Pembroke Pines, where he retired as a Battalion Chief. . He is credentialed by the Center for Public Safety Excellence as a Chief Fire Officer and a Chief Training Officer.

Chief Martin holds a Master of Science in Fire & Emergency Sciences from the University of Florida, a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership from St. Thomas University, an Associate in Science in Fire Science from Broward College, and has a Graduate Certificate in Emergency Services/ Disaster Management from the University of Florida. In addition to being a firefighter and paramedic, Martin is a certified Fire Officer 4, certified Fire Instructor III, a CPR Instructor, and an Incident Safety Officer.

Division Chief of Fire Prevention – Andrew Armenis

Chief Andrew "Drew" Armenis is a 25-year fire service veteran and serves as the Division Chief and Fire Marshal for the Town of Jupiter Fire Rescue. He brings extensive experience in fire prevention, emergency response, and public safety leadership to the Jupiter community.

Throughout his career, Chief Armenis has served in various operational and supervisory roles and is a certified Firefighter/Paramedic with specialized training in Hazardous Materials, Rope Rescue, and Confined Space Operations. He has completed advanced officer development, including Fire Officer and Chief Officer leadership coursework, and has also served as a fire service instructor, mentoring the next generation of firefighters.

Upon assuming his role as Fire Marshal, Chief Armenis will lead the development of Jupiter Fire Rescue's Fire Prevention & Community Risk Reduction Division (CRR), establishing programs for fire inspections, code compliance, plan review, and public education for residents, businesses, and visitors. He will also oversee community outreach initiatives, including the Water Watcher drowning-prevention program and citizen and pet CPR training.

In addition to his duties with the Fire Department, Chief Armenis serves as a Chaplain through the International Fellowship of Chaplains (IFOC), offering support to first responders and their families. Known for his integrity, compassion, and service-centered leadership, he is committed to enhancing community safety and building a strong, service-focused organizational culture.

Division Chief of EMS – Tim Roche

Division Chief Tim Roche has almost 30 years of experience in the fire service and comes to JFRD from Miramar Fire Rescue, where most recently he served as the Division Chief of EMS. Roche is very active in the EMS community and has competed nationally and internationally in EMS competitions.

Chief Roche holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Management from Florida Atlantic University and an Associate of Science Degree in Emergency Medical Science from Broward College. In addition to his firefighter and paramedic certifications, Roche is a certified Fire Safety Inspector, a certified Fire Instructor III, a certified Fire Officer 1, a certified Incident Safety Officer, a certified Health and Safety Officer, a designated Infection Control Officer, a certified Advanced Cardiac Life Support Instructor, a certified CPR Instructor, a Community Emergency Response Team Instructor, an Emergency Vehicle Operations Course Instructor, a certified EMS Instructor, a certified Flight Paramedic, a FEMA Incident Command System Instructor, and a University of Miami Acute Coronary Syndrome and Stroke Instructor. Chief Roche has completed the Emergency Service Leadership Institute training program, the IAFF Peer Support training program, and Tactical Combat Casualty Care training program.

Division Chief of Safety, Training & Wellness - Robert Ramirez

With decades of experience in fire rescue and EMS, Chief Ramirez brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to the department. Division Chief Ramirez will develop safety policies and procedures for daily operations and implement strategies to minimize hazards for firefighters and the public. He will also plan and develop JFRD’s training program, ensuring all personnel are trained to state and national standards. Ramirez will also oversee JFRD’s health and wellness programs, focusing on physical fitness, mental health, and injury prevention.

Ramirez joins JFRD after serving as a Captain for the City of Margate Fire Department from 2002 - 2025. 

Chief Ramirez is a 24-year fire service veteran with an AS degree in EMS and a Bachelors degree in Public Administration. Since 2005, Ramirez has been a Technical Rescue Team Manager for the Department of Homeland Security F.E.M.A. U.S.A.R. Task Force in Miami, FL., where he has served on dozens of high-profile national and international disaster deployments. In addition, Chief Ramirez has been a student of psychology, physiology, and the effects of stress on human performance for over a decade. His education and personal experiences have provided him with a variety of unique instructional strategies and methods that apply to Firefighters of any rank or tenure. 

Ramirez is also an international fire service speaker, instructor, and published Fire Service author. Throughout his fire service career, he has held the ranks of Firefighter, Paramedic, Lieutenant, Dept. Training Officer, and Captain. Ramirez is the very proud father of two amazing boys.