Flagler Palm Coast Kiwanis Club honors Firefighters of the Year | Observer Local News

The Flagler Palm Coast Kiwanis Club presented its Firefighter of the Year awards on Nov. 13 at the Pine Lakes Golf Club. The Kiwanis Club annually honors outstanding service to the community with the awards.

Club past-president Frank Consentino officiated the ceremony celebrating firefighters from Flagler County's three fire departments. The ceremony featured awards for excellence for each department and a special recognition of each fire chief in the form of Legacy Book awards.

Each Legacy Book Award designates and labels a donation of five books to a local elementary school media center in the name of the recipient recognized for exceptional service to the community. Honored were Flagler County Fire Rescue Chief Michael Tucker, Palm Coast Fire Department Chief Kyle Berryhill and Flagler Beach Fire Department Chief Bobby Pace. 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 Flagler County Fire Rescue Captain Armando Castaneda, Flagler Beach Firefighter/EMT Christian Carre and Palm Coast Fire Department Driver/Engineer Katelyn Baller, who is also in training for other roles in the department.

They were chosen by their department chiefs based on dedication to duty, performance, growth, character and positive impact on their fellow firefighters.

Special guests at the meeting included Flagler Beach Mayor Patti King, City Manager Dale Martin and Commissioner Jane Mealy 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 longtime Flagler County resident and educator.