- February 6, 2025
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Chief Ron Wright, John Bellanti, Chamber Board Chairman Dr. James Young, Tracy Jackman and Peter Pakuris of Volusia Memorial Park and Funeral Home. Photo courtesy of Leslie Layton
Commander David Giles, James Butts, Chamber Board Chairman James Young, Tracy Jackman and Peter Pakuris of Volusia Memorial Park and Funeral Home. Photo courtesy of Leslie Layton
Chief Joe Wulfing, David Gill with Peter Pakuris and Tracy Jackman of Volusia Memorial and Funeral Home. Photo courtesy of Leslie Layton
Assistant Chief Bill Proctor, Kelsie Higham, Tracy Jackman, Peter Pakuris and POSD Board Chairman James Young. Photo courtesy of Leslie Layton
Members of the Port Orange Fire Department and Port Orange Police Department were presented awards during the City Manager's Breakfast on Wednesday, Jan. 31.
Port Orange Firefighter David Gill and South Daytona Firefighter James Butts were presented with Firefighter of the Year awards.
Gill, who began his career with the department on Dec. 19, 2005, is currently assigned at Station 74 and is one of the longest serving members of the Southeast Region Fire Department's training committee, where he serves as a technical rescue team leader.
According to Port Orange Fire Chief Ken Fustin, in his role as a training committee leader Gill is tasked with scheduling and maintaining the hands-on training for all active members of the technical rescue team training for the participating members, which includes Edgewater Fire, New Smyrna Beach Fire, Ponce Inlet Fire, South Daytona Fire and Port Orange Fire and Rescue.
Fustin explained that Gill's training work includes high angle rope rescue, confined space training, trench rescue training and swift water rescue training.
Additionally, Gill is a cancer survivor. He was diagnosed in the fall of 2016 after a routine physical. After surgery and several rounds of radiation and chemotherapy treatments, Gill was cleared for duty in April 2017 and has since been cancer free.
Port Orange Police Officer Kelsie Higham and South Daytona Police Officer James Bellanti were presented with Police Officer of the Year awards.
Higham, despite only having three years of experience, has issued more than 165 citations or written warning during the year, has responded to 1,798 calls for service, and has completed 395 incident reports.
"Officer Higham is a dedicated professional and one of our top officers," Port Orange Police Chief Thomas Grimaldi wrote in a email.
In a letter to the Chamber of Commerce, Grimaldi described Higham as a highly respected among her peers while displaying a positive attitude and a drive toward proactive policing.
Grimaldi pointed out her response to a bank robbery on July 13, 2017, where she searched social media platforms to identify the suspect, which later led to him being apprehended within 24 hours of the crime.
"Her determination and investigative creativity was directly responsible for removing a dangerous felon from our communities," Grimaldi wrote.
Higham also received the Police Department’s Award of Merit, was named Officer of the Third Quarter in 2017, and has received seven letters of recognition from her supervisors.
