The Seminole Tribe of Florida is mourning the loss of its fire chief after he died Thursday night from the novel coronavirus. Donald DiPetrillo, 70, has been fighting COVID-19 at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood since March 12, the tribe said Friday. It is believed he contracted the virus at the “EMS Today” emergency medical services conference in Tampa in early March. Four Miami-Dade County firefighters, seven Reedy Creek firefighters and some Miami firefighters were quarantined after attending the same convention . Also in the Seminole Tribe, Calvin “Cal” Harrison, a 78-year-old Seminole Police Department officer, died of COVID-19 on April 17. ‘A NEW LEVEL OF PROFESSIONALISM’ “Don played a major role in bringing a new level of professionalism to the Fire Department operations of Seminole Fire Rescue,” William Latchford, executive director of public safety for the Seminole Tribe of Florida, said in a news release. “Chief DiPetrillo understood that success in life was about just being nice. If you care for people, the rest takes care of itself. His care, commitment, and leadership for over 50 years of service, helped shape the future of the fire service, not only within the Seminole Tribe, but also in the State of Florida.” DIPETRILLO’S CAREER DiPetrillo, who lived in Davie, graduated from McArthur High School in Hollywood in 1967. He received his associate’s degree in fire science from Broward College and then graduated from Barry University with a bachelor’s degree in public administration. He joined the Navy in 1971 as a Yeoman 2nd Class and served on board the U.S.S. Wasp. After being honorably discharged, he became part of the United States Reserves in 1972. From 1973 until 2001, he was with the Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue Department and had worked as a lifeguard in the early 1970s. DiPetrillo then served […]
