- November 4, 2024
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For the last eight months, Palm Coast firefighter-EMT Travis Greco has worked to develop a training matrix for the city. The matrix is a spreadsheet that identifies all the training an employee should take based on the position. With about 600 employees citywide, the project was a tedious one, Greco said, but one that ensures first responders are properly qualified to protect the community.
“That’s what we’re here to do: to protect life and property,” said Greco, a former wildland firefighter with the Florida Forest Service. “We’re here for the citizens. They expect us to stand at a certain level of training, and that’s what this program is going to do. It’s going to help ensure that we’re there for them with the utmost training and experience.”
Greco, who has been with the Palm Coast Fire Department for the last two years, was awarded the 2018 Fire Service Medal and Certificate by the Flagler Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution on Wednesday, July 18, for his coordination and leadership of wildland fire training for PCFD and his efforts to oversee emergency preparedness training citywide.
Deputy Fire Chief Jerry Forte said Greco’s ability to find new ways to improve, coupled with his extensive background in wildfires, has proven vital to the city.
“Travis can look into the future,” Forte said. “We value education as one of the high priorities in the department. Being able to come in, make recommendations and then to institute them is a very big deal.”
Forte clarified that it’s not that city employees weren’t trained prior to Greco’s innovation — it’s just that training is more comprehensive now. Before, departments kept to themselves and their own duties. Now, there’s more redundancy across positions.
“They can do anything when the operation needs them to,” Forte said.
In addition, the award came as a surprise, Greco added.
“What’s rewarding is being able to utilize my knowledge and share it with everybody,” he said. “Getting the award was an added bonus, and I’m extremely humbled to have received that.”
