Cocoa Fire Inspector Sam Schaller was named Fire Inspector of the Year for 2021 by the Space Coast Fire Chief’s Association
Schaller joined the Cocoa Fire Department in 2020. As the city’s fire inspector, he is responsible for the city’s overall commercial fire safety and inspections to ensure compliance with all National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards and life safety codes. Schaller goes above and beyond in his inspections with a focus on public awareness and fire prevention through education and interaction. In his first year as inspector, Schaller revamped the inspections program, making it more efficient and allowing more time to be proactive, thereby increasing public safety. In 2021, he averaged up to 400 fire inspections per month. He continues to use his vast network of peers to improve the inspections within the city and stay up to date on changes within the profession as a whole. Schaller is dedicated to his job and networking with others to deliver the best fire safety program available
Schaller was born in Sarasota and has two brothers. He is the first in his family to serve in public safety. In 2012, Schaller began pursuing his associate degree at Santa Fe College in Gainesville while serving as a volunteer firefighter with Alachua County. In 2013, he earned his credential as an emergency medical technician (EMT). He completed the fire academy in 2014. Since 2016 he served with Putnam County Fire EMS in the East Palatka Fire Department where, at age 25, he became chief in 2018. He was the youngest chief in the agency’s history and to his knowledge the youngest chief in the State of Florida.
