- April 18, 2024
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Ormond Beach Fire Capt. David Randall, retired Capt. Bill Giles and Driver Engineer Hunter Ramirez. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Fire Chief Richard Sievers opens the ceremony at Fire Station 92. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Retired Capt. Bill Giles and Battalion Commander David King. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Fire Chief Richard Sievers shakes Capt. Bill Giles' hand. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Firefighter Jim Peters presents a memorial ax to Capt. Bill Giles. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Capt. Bill Giles thanks his fellow "brothers and sisters." Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Capt. Bill Giles passes on his helmet to Capt. David Randall. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Driver Engineer Hunter Ramirez is passed his new helmet by Capt. David Randall. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Capt. David Randall's new badge is pinned by his wife Marlena. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Hunter Ramirez is presented with a certificate by Chief Richard Sievers. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The passing of the helmets is a tradition in fire service. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Battalion Chief Nate Quartier, Battalion Chief Meghan Quartier, Chief Richard Sievers, retired Capt. Bill Giles, Capt. David Randall, Driver Engineer Hunter Ramirez, Deputy Fire Chief Tom Bazanos and Battalion Commander David King
The city's new fire engine will soon be in service. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
“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.”
