Leaders in fire service: Ormond Beach Fire promotes two firefighters as one retires

Capt. Bill Giles served the city for 28 years.

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“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”

Ormond Beach Fire Chief Richard Sievers recited this quote by John Quincy Adams during a promotion and retirement ceremony held at Fire Station 92 on Thursday, July 22. Longtime OBFD Capt. Bill Giles passed on his helmet upon his retirement, and two of his fellow firefighters were promoted. Thus i cycle of fire service, said Deputy Fire Chief Tom Bazanos. 

Sievers opened the ceremony by expressing his joy of being able to showcase his department's traditions once again after the COVID-19 restrictions rendered them unable to do so last year. A total of 15 firefighters were promoted in that time, and Banzano read their names in recognition. 

No one in the department retired last year. Giles is the first, and his legacy of service is memorable. 

As one of the firefighters who fought the wildfires of 1998 in the city, Giles has been on a lot of different calls for service. Even those as simple as getting a teenager to open a car door for her mother, Giles recounted to a room full of "his brothers and sisters," as he called them. Though, he still maintains that B shift is the best. 

“We will miss his calm leadership, excellent work ethic and his dry sense of humor," Banzano said.

Giles was first hired 28 years ago when the city sought new firefighters to staff then-new Fire Station 94. Now, that station is the oldest in Ormond Beach, Giles said. 

“We’ve had some memorable times," Giles said. "We’ve had some great times doing this, but all in all, you are a part of my family.”

Upon Giles' retirement, firefighter David Randall was promoted to the rank of captain, and firefighter Hunter Ramirez was promoted to the rank of driver engineer. 

Sievers called them two leaders in the department.

"Both have stepped up over the last three years," the chief said. "I’ve seen you grow, I’ve seen you change, I’ve seen you work into who you are now.”

 

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