A leadership change went down at Flagler County Fire Rescue on Thursday. Daniel VanDeusen, who previously held the rank of battalion chief, has been interim deputy chief after the promotion of Percy Sayles to deputy county administrator.
Sayles was promoted following the sudden and tragic death of Deputy County Administrator Jorge Salinas in a traffic accident on I-4. He and his wife were both killed, along with a motorcyclist. The county government has scrambled ever since to fill the holes in major leadership positions, all while mourning a close friend and colleague.
Flagler County Fire Rescue Chief Michael Tucker made the decision to promote VanDeusen. “I have tremendous faith in Daniel VanDeusen and think he will do very well in this position,” he said of his decision. “It is a lot of responsibility, but he already had a lot of responsibility and has capably managed and executed everything that has been asked of him.”
VanDeusen has been with Flagler County Fire Rescue since 2005, when he was hired as a probationary firefighter-EMT. He now holds the distinction of being the only FCFR employee to have ascended from the lowest rank within the organization to its second-highest rank. Chief Tucker promoted then-Lieutenant VanDeusen to battalion chief in 2021, during his first year as chief.
“I am thrilled with the opportunities and challenges the position of Deputy Fire Chief will present me,” VanDeusen said. “I am grateful for the faith Chief Tucker has in me to assist him in growing and improving Fire Rescue for the benefit of our residents.”
Also noted in an announcement from the Flagler County government is that VanDeusen is a graduate of the Emergency Services Leadership Institute (ESLI). Having completed the course in 2024, VanDeusen has received professional training in the skills that it’ll take to hold a senior leadership role in a fire department. “It was a great experience to learn from experts within the targeted curriculum,” he said last year after graduating. “It has provided me with new tools to bring to the table.”
“Deputy Chief VanDeusen has always been committed to his personal and professional development,” Tucker continued. “Flagler County Fire Rescue and he support and encourage all our men and women to endeavor to reach their full potential. He not only talks the talk, he walks the walk.”
Chris Gollon is a Flagler County resident since 2004, as well as a staple of the local independent music scene and avid observer of Central Florida politics, arts, and recreation.
