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Chief Joe Mirra reflects on joining Leesburg FD and leading the department
Summary
Fire Chief Joe Mirra, hired in February 2002 and chief since 2022, discussed his career path from volunteer work to leadership, why he chose Leesburg, and how he views the chief's role in shaping department culture and priorities.
Fire Chief Joe Mirra told Inside Leesburg he began in the fire service as a volunteer in Marion County in 1995, worked at The Villages and Claremont, and was hired by Leesburg in February 2002.
Mirra said he did not initially aspire to be chief but that becoming chief in 2022 allowed him to influence the department's direction and culture more broadly: "as a chief... my influence reaches through the whole department," he said. He described Leesburg as the department he had envisioned joining because of its culture and camaraderie and urged the next generation of firefighters to build on existing strengths in training and service.
Mirra framed leadership as a stewardship role: he said his goal is to "continue what we're doing, take the good, amplify it, and just continue to create a culture that is focused on saving lives and property."
