Brevard County Fire Rescue Chief Mark Schollmeyer Retires After Stellar 33-Year Career

After humble beginning as a Merritt Island Volunteer Firefighter, held almost every rank in the organization

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Brevard County Fire Rescue Chief Mark Schollmeyer has retired after a stellar 33-year career – including the last seven years as the head of BCFR. 

During his BCFR career, Schollmeyer climbed the ladder, first as a volunteer and recruit, then firefighter, emergency medical technician, lieutenant, lieutenant/emergency medical technician, district chief, assistant chief and finally chief.

“Today marks my last day of service with Brevard County Fire Rescue,” said Chief Schollmeyer on March 1, his last day on the job.

“Since my humble beginnings as a Merritt Island Volunteer Firefighter, I have held almost every rank in the organization over the last 33+ years including 7 years as Chief of the department/PIO/Social Media Specialist.

“We have accomplished so much over the course of the last seven years and I am confident the department is on a great path moving forward. Thank you all for all your support and well wishes.”

Patrick Voltaire, assistant Chief of Operations for Brevard County Fire Rescue since 2019, has been tapped as the next Fire Chief for BCFR pending confirmation on Tuesday, March 8, by the Brevard County Board of County Commissioners.

County Manager Frank Abbate submitted Voltaire’s name for appointment as the next chief following the retirement of BCFR Chief Mark Schollmeyer, who held the position for the past seven years. Schollmeyer’s retirement was official Tuesday, March 1.

“I am confident (Patrick Voltaire) will serve our organization well in his capacity as Fire Chief,” Abbate said.

Voltaire is a lifelong Brevard County resident, a Palm Bay High School graduate, and started his career with BCFR as a Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician in 2000.

He earned an Associate degree in Fire Science from Brevard Community College in 2004; a Bachelor of Professional Studies-Public Administration from Barry University in 2011; and a Masters of Public Administration from the Florida Institute of Technology in 2018.

Highlights of Voltaire’s career include:

■ Then-Lieutenant Voltaire was selected to instruct the Brevard Escape and Survival Tactics (BEAST) from 2006-2010.
■ He was a participant in the Mother’s Day fires, saved Station 89 from burning in 2008.
■ Served as incident commander for Hurricane Dorian.
■ As a department lead in 2020-2021 he was instrumental in renegotiating auto-aid agreements with Melbourne Fire Department, City of Cape Canaveral and City of Cocoa; instrumental in establishing auto-aid agreements with Patrick Space Force Base, City of Indialantic and City of Malabar.; and instrumental in integration of the Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system with Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.
■ Company Officer of the Year in 2007; Chief Officer of the year in 2013.

Voltaire and his wife Allison have two children.

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