Don Petito, Flagler County's Fire Rescue leader for 15 years, retires

Palm Coast Observer
News

Don Petito is retiring as chief of Flagler County Fire Rescue, after 15 years at the helm. He sent a letter to County Administrator Jerry Cameron on July 15, saying he would be using accrued personal leave time from now until his official retirement date of Aug. 21.

“I am excited about my impending retirement but wanted to take this opportunity to thank you and the county for all of the opportunities that I have experienced while working for Flagler County,” Petito wrote. “ … If I can be of any assistance before my departure or afterward, then please let me know. I'd be happy to provide whatever assistance I can to provide a smooth transition to my successor.”

Petito's legacy

Don Petito was in the firefighting business for 35 years. Flagler County provided a list of the progress Fire Rescue made during his tenure:

Upgraded Emergency Medical Services protocols;
Added a medical director;
Created a Community Paramedicine program (the only one in the region);
Became a state-certified EMS training site and a Regional Training Center for the American Heart Association;
Developed Marine Rescue Program and Urban Search and Rescue;
Implemented Traffic Control Device Program;
Opened Station 16;
Added a rescue vehicle to stations 41, 51, 71;
Developed a high school fire academy;
EMS Competition Team under Petito’s leadership took three titles in the Czech Republic, as well as being three-time Florida State Champion, and championship titles in Georgia, Iowa, and New York.

Petito had been considering retirement for the past year; he had also been on administrative leave following an employment complaint against him.

“There was certainly nothing disciplinary that came out of the matter,” Cameron said. “I think it just added to the frustration level.”

Petito's legacy will include upgraded Emergency Medical Services protocols, new training programs, and specialized units. He also helped institute a fire academy at Flagler Palm Coast High School to give students a chance to explore a career as a firefighter.

Cameron added: “I think Don has fought for so long with scant resources, and I think he’d just gotten to a point he didn’t want to undertake what it’s going to take to put this Fire Department on track. … He just has never had the resources that a fire department should have had.”

The employment complaint began when a firefighter “claimed he was being harassed over his ethnicity,” Cameron said. The firefighter was moved to another station, but the problem resurfaced, and he notified the Human Resources department. In a meeting with Petito, the firefighter “said the chief’s demeanor was not to his liking,” Cameron said.

A third-party investigator reviewed the incident, Cameron said, “but that investigation didn’t turn up anything for me, other than some policy changes. It wasn’t an indictment of [Petito].”

Petito also had a disagreement in 2019 with another staff member about who should make what decisions while at the Emergency Operations Center. Later, on Oct. 31, 2019, he told the Palm Coast Observer that he was exploring other job opportunities.

Petito could not be immediately reached for comment about his retirement.

“We are certain Don Petito will continue to make a positive contribution to the community in his future endeavors,” Cameron said in a press release. “We wish him well."