Editor’s Note: Flagler Beach City Manager Dale Martin publishes a weekly report he calls ‘Friday Footnotes’ updating residents on current happenings and topics in Flagler Beach. This week, he has given the duty to Fire Chief Bobby Pace.
This is the December 20th, 2024 edition of the report, published here with Martin and Pace’s cooperation.
Serving as the Fire Chief for the City of Flagler Beach over the past twelve years has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my career. This role allowed me to be at the forefront of protecting our community and ensuring the safety and well-being of its residents. Leading a dedicated team of firefighters, I witnessed their unwavering commitment to service, teamwork, and professionalism, which continually inspired me. Each day brought new challenges, whether responding to emergencies, implementing innovative fire safety measures, or building relationships with other local agencies. It was a privilege to play such a critical role in safeguarding a city I care so deeply about.
One of the most rewarding aspects of my tenure was fostering strong connections within our community. Flagler Beach is more than a city: it’s a family. Working closely with residents, businesses, and local leaders, I saw firsthand the strength and resilience that define our community. From hosting fire safety workshops to participating in local events, I valued every opportunity to engage and educate our citizens. These interactions not only strengthened trust in our department but also reinforced the importance of our mission. Knowing that our work had a tangible impact on people’s lives made every effort worthwhile.
I have shared with the City Commission, the City Manager, and Fire Department staff of my intent to retire, effective February 1, 2025.
Reflecting on the past twelve years, I am filled with pride and gratitude for the accomplishments we achieved together. From upgrading equipment and facilities to implementing advanced training programs for our team, the growth of the department has been remarkable. These advancements have not only improved our operational capabilities but also enhanced the safety of our firefighters and the community we serve.
While we have addressed many past challenges, more challenges, as always, will present themselves. The cost of maintaining, training, and equipping the Flagler Beach Fire Department is not an inexpensive effort: firefighting vehicles and the associated equipment and tools; personal protective gear (coats, pants, boots, helmets, gloves, and breathing apparatus); facilities from which to operate, to store equipment, and to house firefighters. Changing regulations related to the health and safety of firefighters are often an unrecognized cost (exposures to physical and mental health consequences). The budget is manageable for a community the size of Flagler Beach, especially with the support of neighboring agencies.
The Fire Department is currently fully staffed, maintaining three rotating three-person crews. Recruiting, training, and retaining new firefighters is another challenge: since professional growth opportunities can be somewhat limited in a small department such as Flagler Beach, it is often other amenities that contribute to keeping firefighters here. Often mentioned are the community quality of life and the camaraderie of fellow firefighters. The current staff of firefighters have been remarkably stable, and that speaks highly of the current political and professional environment in Flagler Beach. I am sure that other unforeseen challenges will arise, but I have confidence that those challenges can be successfully overcome.
Being the Fire Chief has been more than just a job; it has been an honor and a calling. I will always cherish the memories and lessons learned during this chapter of my life, and I am excited to see how the department continues to thrive in the future.
Robert Pace
Fire Chief
Flagler Beach Fire Department
