|
| Meet the Chief |
Tracey T. Barlow
Fire Chief Tracey Barlow began his tenure with the Edgewater Fire Department in June of 1985 when
the department was 100 percent volunteer. Through aggressive training and continued education, he
was able to work his way through the ranks obtaining the positions of volunteer lieutenant,
assistant chief and volunteer fire chief. As the community continued to grow and the emergency
responses continued to overwhelm the abilities of a volunteer department, the city was required
to hire some full-time career personnel in November of 1989. Along with some additional certified
volunteer personnel who had also started in 1985, Barlow was hired as one of the first career
firefighters in the City of Edgewater’s history.
With the start of the combination department, he was once again challenged with the opportunities
to seek leadership positions through a promotional process. Through his natural dedication to the
residents of this community along with additional training and education, he has been granted
the opportunity to hold the positions of a career driver/engineer, lieutenant, captain and is
currently the community’s fire chief. Along with various technical training certificates, he
currently maintains certifications such as Florida-certified firefighter, paramedic, company
officer, and fire inspector. He has associate of science degrees in fire science technology and
in emergency medical services. He is presently completing a Bachelor of Arts degree in
organizational management and plans to pursue a master’s degree in public administration as well
as one in emergency management.
Chief Barlow states that his history with the department and the city has rewarded him with the
opportunity to work alongside a group of dedicated members. He proudly acknowledges that the
majority of the department’s personnel today also began as volunteers with the department and
remain residents of this community by choice. Their dedication to the community is evident
through their volunteerism and through the superior service they provide to the community. When
your firefighters respond to an emergency in Edgewater, they are not responding to a victim,
they are responding to you - a neighbor.
About Chief Barlow:
- Born in Zanesville, Ohio in 1966
- Moved to the New Smyrna Beach/Edgewater area in 1976
- Graduated New Smyrna Beach High School in 1984
- Accepted as a volunteer member with Edgewater Fire Department in 1985
- Hired as one of Edgewater’s first career firefighters in 1989
- Promoted to the position of fire chief in 1998
- Currently maintains degrees/certifications as firefighter, paramedic, company officer,
fire inspector, Associate of Science degrees in fire science technology and in emergency
medical services and a Bachelor of Arts degree in organizational management.
- He plans to pursue a Masters degree in public administration as well as one in emergency
management.
|
|
|
