meet our team

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Joe LaCognata is the Founder and President of Fire Rescue Support, Inc. Joe started his involvement with emergency services in 1986 as a volunteer firefighter and EMT. Since becoming a pastor in 1994, his connection with emergency services has been through the chaplaincy with both police and fire departments.

Joe retired from day-to-day operations as Chaplain with Marion County Fire Rescue, Ocala Fire Rescue, and The Villages Department of Public Safety in February 2026. He currently serves as the Statewide Chaplaincy Coordinator with the Florida Firefighter Safety and Health Collaborative and as Chaplain with the Florida Fire Chiefs Association. In addition, Joe is an Approved Instructor with the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation.

 Joe has been married to Kim since 1985 and they are the proud parents of five amazing children, four wonderful sons-in-law, and four adorable grandchildren. 

Josh grew up in Marion County and as a senior in high school he attended the Marion County Fire Rescue Career Academy. He started full time with MCFR as a Firefighter/EMT in February of 2009. Josh then went on to paramedic school in 2010 and worked as a Firefighter/Paramedic assigned to the Hazmat station.

In 2016 Josh left the fire department to pursue a ministry opportunity in Kansas City, Missouri. He never thought he would leave, but he knew that God was drawing him to this opportunity, and he wanted to be obedient. Josh moved back to Florida in 2020, to help in ministry at a church here in Ocala, and he immediately began thinking of ways he could get involved with the fire department again. He started serving as a chaplain part-time in May 2023 and became full-time in February 2026.

Working as a chaplain, Josh is living out his dream in the best way: sharing hope and encouragement with the people that he respects and admires most.

Josh has been married to his wife Courtney since 2010 and they have 6 amazing children.

 Ember was born on February 23, 2026, as one of eight puppies. Ember and all seven of her siblings were generously donated with the purpose of serving as therapy dogs within first responder agencies.

Ember was donated to Fire Rescue Support where she will serve as a therapy and crisis intervention dog supporting first responders and their families.

Her father, Wilbur, currently serves as a therapy dog with AdventHealth, continuing a legacy of providing comfort, support, and companionship to those who need it. Also, her twin brother Boots serves with Pasco County Fire Rescue.

Ember will be partnered with her handler, Chaplain Josh Deese, and will serve primarily within the first responder community. Her responsibilities will include fire station visits, peer support and crisis intervention, critical incident response, emotional support, and community outreach.

Through her presence, Ember will help create opportunities for first responders to decompress, connect, and receive support in an environment where they can feel comfortable.

Whether following a difficult call, during a critical incident, or simply during an ordinary day at the station, Ember’s role is to provide a calm, welcoming, and reassuring presence.

Ember will primarily support personnel with Marion County Fire Rescue and Ocala Fire Rescue, while also representing Fire Rescue Support throughout the community.

Ember is more than a therapy dog. She is part of an intentional effort to make sure the people who spend their lives caring for others know that someone is there to care for them.

Her mission is simple: to be there when first responders need her most.