Christopher Gerard Benemio was born in NYC on August 21, 1969 to loving parents Robert “Bob” and Johanna (Clemente). Chris’s brother Greg arrived in 1971, completing their family of four.

Johanna & Bob moved to South Florida to raise their boys, first living in Margate, before moving to Parkland, FL.

Chris’s love of firefighting began by watching the TV show Emergency! Upon entering high school, Chris joined the Palm Beach County Fire Explorers program and Coral Springs Fire Explorers program.

Johanna & Bob fostered both boys’ love of their crafts – Greg practicing his cooking to become a chef and Chris practicing his fire skills to become a firefighter. Johanna & Bob volunteered with Chris, becoming the first family to be volunteer firefighters for the City of Parkland.

After Chris’s graduation from Coral Springs High School, Chris applied to Broward Fire Academy, and was a member of Academy Class # 88.

Chris was hired at Sunrise Fire Department on November 5, 1990 as a Firefighter-Emergency Medical Technician.

In July of 1991, Chris received his Paramedic II Patch and followed up the completion of his Paramedic I evaluation in September of 1995.

In May of 1998, Chris received his first promotion to the rank of Firefighter II – Rescue Supervisor. In December of 2002, he transferred over to the rank of Firefighter II – Driver Operator; which he was subsequently reclassified as a Driver Operator in February of 2005.

In October of 2005, he was promoted to the rank of Captain. In May of 2011, he was re-assigned to the Division of Support Services as a non-shift Captain.

While serving in this capacity, he briefly was re-assigned to the Division of Training before returning to the Division of Support Services, designing the very fire trucks and rescue apparatus members of the Sunrise Fire Department ride today.

Throughout his career at the Sunrise Fire Department, Chris was an active member of the Special Operators Team and was a Master Diver and member of Sunrise’s Dive Team since February of 1993. He served as an advisor to the Sunrise Fire Explorer Program throughout his career and was responsible for the fitting and maintenance of all Scott air packs. Chris was also a board member of the Sunrise Fire Rescue Benevolent Association.

Chris received multiple letters of commendation from residents and business owners throughout his career; was the recipient of multiple Firefighter of the Month awards; and is the only employee to date to be named Firefighter of the Year two separate times (1999 and 2004).

Chris was actively involved in other ventures outside of Sunrise Fire Department.

In July of 1996, Captain Benemio was assigned to the Federal Emergency Management Agency Urban Search Rescue – Florida Task Force II Team. He responded to several emergency events as a member of the team including: the September 11 terrorist attacks; Hurricanes Opal, Ivan, Charlie, Francis, Irene, Katrina, and Maria; the Surfside collapse in Miami, FL; and lastly to Fort Meyers, FL for Hurricane Ian, representing Sunrise Fire department impeccably in each and every response.

Chris was an instructor for over 25 years, teaching not only at Broward Fire Academy, South Tech and Coral Springs Fire Academy, but at other fire departments and cities throughout the State of Florida. After the events of 9/11, Chris was instrumental in designing and building the K-9 Search & Rescue training grounds at Broward Fire Academy. He also developed and instructed numerous training courses for new and current firefighters and students teaching, educating and guiding fellow and future firefighters.

Chris served as a volunteer wildland firefighter with the Florida Forest Service (FFS) Everglades District since 2018, aiding in the suppression, detection, mitigation and prevention of wildfires. He performed as an engine boss, engine operator and firefighter on 1,000 plus acres wild and prescribed fires.

Chris established his business - Aggressive Forestry Firefighting, LLC - on August 21, 2019, as a birthday present to himself. Chris started his business with the goals of the immense knowledge and information he learned throughout his lifetime in whatever capacity he could.

On October 11, 2024, Captain Christopher Benemio retired from the City of Sunrise Fire Rescue Department after serving the residents, visitors, and business owners of the City of Sunrise for almost 34 years of service.

On May 12, 2025, Chris traded in his volunteer helmet and became a full-time employee of the Florida Forest Service (FFS). While working for FFS, Chris assisted in developing, coordinating and facilitating Florida Forest Service’s “Joining Forces” program, a program designed to provide cross training between FFS and the fire departments in South Florida.

And while the accolades and accomplishments he had during his career were important, he was most proud of his family.

Chris met his wife Meredith (Elrich) in February 2001, and they began dating shortly after. Meredith had recently moved from Staten Island, NY where she had been a chef, to Cooper City, FL and had applied to the police academy, wanting to serve the community.

On 9/11, Chris and Meredith’s worlds collided. With concern for fellow firefighters and the citizens of NYC, as well as for Meredith’s family, Chris deployed with the South Florida Task Force 2 Team to Ground Zero. Knowing Chris, his team, her family and friends would need support, Meredith flew up and met Chris there.

On Christmas 2001, Chris proposed to Meredith. They eloped on October 25, 2002 and celebrated with friends and family on October 18, 2003. They traveled throughout Italy and London for their honeymoon.

In 2007, their daughter Madison was born. Two sons followed – Alexander in 2009 and Ian in 2012.

Chris was the ultimate father for Madison, Alex and Ian. When not putting out fires at work, he was taking Madison to ballet and karate classes, Alex to baseball and Ian to hockey.

When Chris and Meredith learned of Alex’s diagnosis of autism, Chris supported Meredith while she developed materials and classes to teach first responders about individuals with autism.

Chris, Meredith, Madison, Alex and Ian enjoyed traveling together, with many special memories made in FL, GA, NY, and NJ. Joining the kids at Sunrise Explorer events, attending FL Panthers hockey games, visits to Disney and Universal Studios, as well as boating on the Lake Worth inlet were a staple of the family’s adventures together.

At home, Chris could always be found talking with the neighbors planning their next fireworks event or in the backyard, which was his haven. Chopping trees, building a fire pit or a chicken coop, running fire hose lines with the kids, taking the kids and their friends on the boat, and helping friends and neighbors was only a small part of what Chris’s impact was.

Any time anyone needed assistance, Chris did not hesitate to go help, and those included animals. Chris was soon surrounded with a medley of animals – dogs, cats, turtles, bearded dragons, chickens and horses.

As Madison, Alex and Ian grew up, their love of the first responder world began to show. Alex was enamored with everything firefighting, and could often be found wherever his “Papa” was, even at work. When Madison and Alex were both in high school, they joined the Sunrise Fire Explorers. Both Madison and Alex have voiced their desires to become firefighters, with Madison currently being in the EMT program at Coral Springs Fire Academy. While still young, Ian’s goal is to play in the NHL, which Chris fully supported.

Chris not only provided Meredith and their children with pure, unconditional love, but gave himself to everyone.

Chris will not only be missed by his immediate and extended family, but by his “framily”, friends, co-workers, students, and all those who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, Meredith, Madison, Alex and Ian request memorial tributes and donations be directed to Sunrise Fire Rescue Benevolent Association in Chris's honor.

Chris has left a void in the lives of the people he knew and touched. Chris made more of an impact in his lifetime than most others could ever dream of. Not a bad thought or word to be said, he lived his life the way we all wish we could. Chris made a difference, and we will miss him forever.