- November 21, 2024
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The Palm Coast Fire Department is bidding farewell to Lt. Richard “Rich” Cline as he retires after 25 years of service to the city of Palm Coast.
“Congratulations to Rich, and his wife, Cindy, and daughter, Heather, on completing a career in public service," Fire Chief Kyle Berryhill said. "... Well done, my friend. PCFD is proud of you.”
Born and raised in Jacksonville, Cline enlisted in the Coast Guard before enrolling at Florida State College in Jacksonville to earn his firefighting and EMT certifications.
He served as an EMT with Flagler County Ambulance Service, where he worked during the 1998 wildfires, before joining the PCFD in 1999.
He was among the department’s first paramedics when it launched its Advanced Life Support program in 2002. In 2001, he earned his EMS certification at Daytona State College. He was promoted to lieutenant in 2008.
Cline was instrumental in creating the department’s Honor Guard and CPR program and was a founding creator of the Halloween Hall of Terror, the department’s annual haunted house, alongside retired Fire Chief Jerry Forte. The program is now in its 22nd year, and Cline has earned the title of “Boo-Master.”
Cline completed his final shift on Sept. 8, 2023.
