The Palm Coast Fire Department marked its 50th anniversary with a special kick-off celebration event at Fire Station 21 on Saturday. The event was attended by community members, elected officials, and department members, both past and present, who gathered to celebrate this significant milestone.
The Palm Coast Fire Department was founded on April 3, 1973, when thirty-six volunteers decided that they would answer the call to respond to fire and emergency medical calls. They initially responded from the cart barn at the Palm Harbor Golf Club and responded to two calls for service the first year. The total county population was 4,454. Today the department is a combination department that responded to over 13,444 calls for service in 2022 from five fire stations.
State Representative and Speaker of the House Paul Renner offered introductory remarks in which he thanked the service of the Palm Coast Fire Department. “We know that you always have our back; at the legislature, we always have yours,” stated Speaker Renner. A letter from Governor Ron DeSantis was read aloud by Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin in which it stated, “As the parent of three young children, the First Lady and I appreciate the first responders who work day and night to keep our communities safe. Thank you for your unwavering service and sacrifice to the community and our great state.”
Mayor Alfin expressed his admiration for the Palm Coast Fire Department for their brave deeds, noble qualities, courage, and heroism as they perform under the most intense stressful conditions. “In times of crisis, the Palm Coast Fire Department has always been there to step up and provide critical support,” stated Mayor Alfin. “Whether responding to hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, or other major disasters, the department has played a critical role in emergency response and recovery efforts, helping to keep our community safe and resilient.”
There were several special presentations, including the dedication of the fire department’s second pumper purchased in 1978, a 1959 American LaFrance engine. The fire engine was returned to the Palm Coast Fire Department after nearly three decades of service to neighboring departments and communities. The American LaFrance is planned to be restored so that it will be used for community events, fire prevention, and fallen firefighter funerals.
Additionally, Kathy Reichard-ellavsky, president of the Palm Coast Historical Society, presented a Garfield fire-fighter poster signed by the cartoonist Jim Davis commemorating the bravery and dedication of the volunteers of the Palm Coast Volunteer Fire Department who fought the 1985 wildfires. This poster will be proudly on display at the Palm Coast Community Center for the community to enjoy. A plethora of Palm Coast Fire Department history is currently on display at the Palm Coast Historical Society, located in James F. Holland Memorial Park at 18 Florida Park Dr N.
Fire Chief Kyle Berryhill spoke of the department’s pride, especially from the members past and present who joined in the day’s celebration. “For those who came before – I hope you are proud of what we have become and where we are headed. To our current firefighters and department members – I am extremely proud of your daily actions, your courage, your character, and your capacity,” stated Chief Berryhill. “Each and every day, you set out to deliver the best service to our community, and your commitment to that standard drives the outpouring of support we feel today and every day from our citizens”.
Concluding the celebration was the unveiling of a time capsule containing department member portraits, pre-plans of the original fire station, and building designs of the newest fire engine. Deputy Fire Chief Bradd Clark spoke about the time capsule, saying, “This time capsule serves as a reminder of how far we’ve come, and a testament to the dedication and hard work of our firefighters, past and present. It will remind future generations of the sacrifices made by those who came before us and inspire them to continue the proud tradition of service to our community.”
The Palm Coast Fire Department’s 50th-anniversary celebration was a memorable event that celebrated the department’s history, achievements, and commitment to serving the community. The department looks forward to additional celebrations throughout the year to mark its Golden Anniversary.
To watch the ceremony and a reunion of past and current Palm Coast Firefighters, see the two videos below.
1,000,000 calls for service says
I appreciate the fire department but we all know how these call for service numbers are greatly inflated. The amount of resources sent to every overdose, fall, and minor accident is ridiculous. This community has become a liberal tax and spend New York Democrat masked as Republican joke. Why we are inflating numbers we should make it really impressive at 1,000,000 per year!
Pat F says
Your comment is not appreciated nor indicative of
the citizens of Palm Coast!
Hiding behind a non de plume allows you to maskarade around spouting pot shots at our fine heroes . Shame on you!
Larry Ruggieri says
I was a member of the department from 1973 until my retirement in 2011. There is talk about what to do with Station 22 at 307 Palm Coast Pkwy. Once the replacement Station is built. One idea being talked about is tearing it down and making a parking lot.
Wouldn’t the community be better served by preserving the historic structure for the current and future citizens. There will only be one First Firehouse in the city of palm coast let’s not be short sighted and destroy the history of this young city.
Jaii Hein says
Agree Larry..saving history..don’t tear it down like oher historic buildings have.
Mark Valentik says
Larry, you are absolutely right. I served the citizens of Palm Coast from 1994 til 2019. My first assignment was at Station 21 which is now Kohl’s parking lot. Every time I drive by that location the memories start flowing and I am saddened by the fact that most of our residents havent a clue what once stood there and the sacrifice of the men and women that once served there. My second assignment was Station 22 when it was reopened as a working firehouse. Station 22 was my first assignment as the officer in charge of Engine 22 and during that time I always remained cognizant of the history of that house and the people who served before me within those walls. My love for Palm Coast has never wavered, although I must admit it breaks my heart that our City is tearing down every remnant of our history. The City spent a considerable amount of money several years ago to make Station 22 ADD compliant. Wouldnt a better solution be to blacktop the majority of the parcel for Community Center parking while leaving the building intact for the Palm Coast Historical Society? Rather than letting the bulldozers bury our past, shouldnt this be the one building we save?
Roy Longo says
Larry Ruggieri is 100% correct. That fire station is probably one of the oldest publicly built buildings in all of Flagler County, let alone Palm Coast. It should be preserved as such. A museum. A historical center. Anything is better than bulldozing it.
Fire Tim says
I want to know how Palm Coast Fire Department is 50 ? Palm coast hasn’t been a city that long . Was it always call palm coast fire department or was it Flagler county fire department before ?
Larry Ruggieri says
The official name
Volunteer Fire Department at Palm Coast Inc. Charted in 1973. There was no Flagler County Fire Department in 1973.
TASC says
The Fire Department in Palm Coast was always the Palm Coast Fire Dept. Since 1973. First organized by a group of volunteers which then incorporated as the Volunteer Fire Department at Palm Coast Inc. Later on it was absorbed into a department within the Palm Coast Service District when the district was formed then eventually absorbed into the City when the City incorporated. Under the Palm Coast Service District assets may have been titled under Flagler County but the firefighters were funded through the Service District therefore always remaining as Palm Coast entity.