Photo for Headline Surfer® / DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- The city hired a new fire chief and saved a little money in salary in the process.
Dru R. Driscoll, 36, was promoted in March with a salary of 17,000, which is $6,044 less than the $123,044 James Bland was making when he retired in April 2013, Daytona Beach city spokeswoman Susan Cerbone told the internet newspaper.
The promotion of Discoll from interim to permanent fire chief comes in at No. 90 in the HeadlineSurfer.com countdown of the top 100 stories of 2014.
Driscoll started his first day as the city's 19th fire chief on March 17. He has been with the Daytona Beach Fire Department since January 1999. After serving as a firefighter that first year through 2004, Driscoll has since held held several progressively responsible positions for the department to include his most recent assignment, serving as the interim fire chief for nearly a year since James Bland's retirement.
Dru Driscoll started his first day as the city's 19th fire chief on March 17. He has been with the Daytona Beach Fire Department since January 1999. After serving as a firefighter that first year through 2004, Driscoll has since held held several progressively responsible positions for the department to include his most recent assignment, serving as the interim fire chief for nearly a year since James Bland's retirement.
Driscoll holds an associate degree in fire science and graduated last summer from Keiser University with a bachelor's degree in public safety administration.
Growing up in the Daytona Beach area, Driscoll graduated from Seabreeze High School and is a Daytona Beach resident. In addition to Driscoll's several certifications, he is a graduate of the Emergency Services Leadership Institute (Florida Fire Chief's Association) and a graduate of Leadership Daytona.
"During Driscoll's career with the Daytona Beach Fire Department, he has been instrumental in assisting in the department's progressive advancements to improve the quality of service offered to the citizens and visitors of our great city," City Manager Jim Chisholm told Headline Surfer®.
For his part, Driscoll said he was excited to take over the reigns of the fire department: "It is an honor to represent the 106 men and women of the Daytona Beach Fire Department as we continue our mission to serve this community with unwavering commitment."
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