Flagler Palm Coast Kiwanis Club honors Firefighters of the Year for 2024
Flagler Palm Coast Kiwanis Club annually honors outstanding service to our community in their Firefighter of the Year awards. Club past-President Frank Consentino officiated at a ceremony on November 13 when Flagler Palm Coast Kiwanis Club celebrated firefighters from our 3 county fire jurisdictions. This event usually coincides with National Firefighters Week but was delayed this year by Hurricane Milton.
The meeting, held at the Pine Lakes Golf Club, featured three awards for excellence, one for each department in the county, and a special recognition of the chiefs in the form of Legacy Book awards. Each Legacy Book Award designates and labels a donation of 5 books to a local elementary school media center in the name of the recipient being recognized for exceptional service to the community. Honored were Chief Michael Tucker of Flagler County Fire, Chief Kyle Berryhill of Palm Coast Fire and Chief Bobby Pace of Flagler Beach Fire. Accepting for Chief Berryhill was Deputy Chief Bradd Clark. Accepting for Chief Pace was Deputy Chief Stephen Cox.
Awards for Firefighter of the Year were presented to Captain Armando Castaneda (recently promoted from Lieutenant) of Flagler County Fire, Flagler Beach Fire Firefighter/EMT Christian Carre and Palm Coast Fire Driver/Engineer Katelyn Baller, who is also in training for other roles in her department. Their respective departments and chiefs chose them based on several criteria: dedication to duty, performance, growth, character and positive impact on their work peers were all considered in their selection. They represent the best of the best in providing protection and service to our many communities in Flagler County.
Special guests at today's meeting included Mayor Patti King, City Manager Dale Martin and Commissioner Jane Mealy from Flagler Beach, and Palm Coast City council member Charles Gambaro Jr.
Those in attendance also enjoyed a surprise recognition of the upcoming 90th birthday of member Polly Conkling, a long time Flagler County resident and educator.
Photo credits: Tony Andrade
