Sturgeon replaces Rathbun, who retired in July
On Oct. 1, Sarasota County staff announced that William Sturgeon, who had been serving as interim fire chief since former Chief David Rathbun retired on July 17, has been named the new fire chief.
The decision followed a nationwide search, a news release noted.
As The Sarasota News Leader reported in early October 2022, Rathbun had served for more than 30 years at Orange County Fire Rescue before he was named to the Sarasota County Fire Department position. His appointment also came in the aftermath of a nationwide search, county staff said at the time.
Earlier in Strurgeon’s career, the Oct. 1 county news release reported, he “spent more than two decades with Orange County Fire Rescue, holding positions ranging from firefighter/paramedic” to division chief of training.
The release further pointed out, “Sturgeon brings more than 40 years of fire, emergency services and public-sector leadership experience to the position.” His career also has included service as a “fire officer, training leader, fire chief and city manager,” the release added.
The News Leader learned from Sturgeon’s LinkedIn account that he was the city manager of the City of St. Cloud from October 2017 through September 2022. Wikipedia notes that the city is in northern Osceola County.
That followed Sturgeon’s service as the city’s fire chief, from March 2013 until October 2017, his LinkedIn account shows.
“Before stepping into the interim role this year,” the county news release continued, Sturgeon served as the Sarasota County Fire Department’s assistant chief of training. He led “department-wide training initiatives focused on firefighter safety, professional development and operational performance,” the release explained.
“Chief Sturgeon brings an exceptional depth of experience to the role, along with an understanding of Sarasota County, our organization and the community we serve,” County Administrator Jonathan Lewis said in the release. “Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to public service, organizational excellence and developing the people around him,” Lewis added.
“Chief Sturgeon understands that a strong fire department is built not only on operational readiness, but also on investing in its people and preparing for the needs of a growing community,” Emergency Services Director Rich Collins said in the release. “Just as importantly, he’s already built strong relationships within this department and demonstrated a clear commitment to the men and women who serve Sarasota County every day,” Collins pointed out in the release.
“The foundation of our department is built on our dedicated and experienced professionals,” Sturgeon said in the release. “My focus now is on supporting our people, building on the strengths of this department, and making sure we’re prepared to serve our growing community while continuing to provide the quality services expected every day,” he added.
Prior to joining the Sarasota County Fire Department in 2025, the release noted, Sturgeon served as chief of the Bureau of Fire Standards and Training for the Florida Division of State Fire Marshal, as well as superintendent of the Florida State Fire College.
The State Fire Marshal’s website explains that that bureau “approves Florida’s firefighter training curricula and certifies Florida fire service training agencies, instructors, and members to ensure they meet industry based standards. In addition, the Bureau manages the Florida Firefighter Safety and Health program.”
The State Fire Marshal’s website also notes that the Bureau “operates the Florida State Fire College, which is located in Ocala. “The current 37-acre campus is a multi-discipline fire and emergency services training center, the website says.
Sturgeon holds a Master of Public Administration from American Public University, based in Charles Town, West Virginia, his LinkedIn account notes. He earned a bachelor’s degree in occupational safety and health, the county news release added.
Sturgeon also is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program and a Florida Certified Public Manager, the release said.
In response to a News Leader inquiry, Samantha Long, public information officer for the Emergency Services Department, wrote in an Oct. 1 email, “Chief Sturgeon’s compensation as Assistant Fire Chief (his previous role) was $148,408.00.” He was receiving an additional $446.40 bi-weekly while serving as the interim fire chief,” Long added. “Combined, this equates to an annual salary of $160,014.40,” she noted, while he was serving as interim chief.
“His new annual salary as Fire Chief will be $180,003.20,” Long reported.
When Rathbun was hired as the Sarasota County fire chief in 2022, his beginning salary was $150,009.60, Sara Nealeigh, then a media relations officer for the Emergency Services Department, told the News Leader in response to its request for the information at that time.
Rathbun’s salary had climbed to $181,355.20 by the time of his retirement, county staff reported in response to a News Leader request for that information.