Okaloosa County confirms Charles Cooper as Dorcas Fire District chief
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Summary
The Okaloosa County Commission unanimously confirmed Charles (Chuck) Cooper as the first Okaloosa County-led Dorcas Fire District fire chief on Nov. 4, following a competitive search. Commissioners held a pinning ceremony and Cooper pledged to revitalize the new hybrid paid/volunteer fire service in the district.
Pat Maddox, director of public safety for Okaloosa County, recommended Charles Cooper as the inaugural Dorcas Fire District fire chief at the board's Nov. 4 meeting. The commission voted unanimously to confirm Cooper and performed a ceremonial pinning.
"This candidate was selected as a best fit for the role unanimously, individually by each evaluator," Maddox told the board, describing a hiring and selection committee and a national search that produced 15 applicants and four in-person interviews. Maddox said the position and two full-time roles to staff the district were approved by the board in September and included in the FY 2026 financial plan.
Charles "Chuck" Cooper, a United States Marine Corps veteran and current Okaloosa County EMS lieutenant and paramedic, spoke after his confirmation. "I wanna pledge that we as a team revitalize, reorganize, and restore the faith and trust from the community that we're gonna provide fire service for," Cooper said. He described the role as a team effort and cited prior experience building a hybrid paid-volunteer service in Nassau County.
The Dorcas Fire District was re-created by the state legislature in June 2024 as a special dependent district under Okaloosa County administrative oversight, Maddox said. Maddox praised cooperating area fire departments—North Okaloosa, Crestview and Almirante/Almirand Fire Departments—for interim service while the county stood up the permanent district.
Commissioner Goodwin made the motion to confirm Cooper and Commissioner Cox seconded; the vote was unanimous. The board allowed Cooperto have his rank pinned by a selectee and members of public safety joined in recognition following his remarks.