New Smyrna Beach firefighters 'pinned'

Edgewater police Sgt Robert Hazelwood pins firefighter promotion bage on NSB firefighter-son, Brandon Hazelwood / Headline Surfer®Photos for Headline Surfer® /
Edgewater Police Sgt. Robert Hazelwood 'pins' a promotion badge on his New Smyrna Beach firefighter-son, Brandon Hazelwood, at New Smyrna Beach City Hall.
 

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. -- A firefighter received a promotional pin from his police officer-father during a ceremony before the City Commission, showing a penchant for public safety runs in the Hazelwood family.

New Smyrna Beach Firefighter Brandon Hazelwood recently earned a promotion to driver/engineer.

During his promotion ceremony on Tuesday night, Hazelwood opted to have a cop pin the new badge on his uniform: His father, Edgewater Police Sgt. Robert Hazelwood.

New Smyrna Beach Firefighter Brandon Hazelwood recently earned a promotion to driver/engineer. During his promotion ceremony on Tuesday night, Hazelwood opted to have a cop pin the new badge on his uniform: His father, Edgewater Police Sgt. Robert Hazelwood.

Hazelwood, 25, was born in New Smyrna Beach and grew up in Edgewater. He has been with the fire department since Oct. 24, 2011.

The ceremony was held at New Smyrna Beach City Hall.

NSB firefighter Bill Crapps gets a promotional pin at City Hall / Headline Surfer®Photo for Headline Surfer® /
Bill Crapps is promoted to battalion chief in the New Smyrna Beach Fire Department during a 'pinning' ceremony Tuesday at City Hall. He receives his badge from his mother, Diane Lash, with his wife, Carla, looking on.
 

The same can be said for another firefighter and his family.

Working in the fire service also has become a tradition in former Fire Lt. Bill Crapps’ family.

Crapps earned a promotion to battalion chief at the event. His father, William Crapps, is a retired Sanford police officer.

Since joining the fire service on March 20, 2006, Crapps, 32, quickly has risen through the department’s ranks, said Interim Fire Chief Jim Tauber.

“In only nine years, Battalion Chief Crapps has gone from being a new hire to the highest ranking shift leader in this department,” Tauber said. “In my 43-year career, that’s among the quickest I’ve seen. It’s a testament to his ability and determination.”

New Smyrna Beach Interim Fire Chief Jim Tauber / Headline Surfer®“In only nine years, Battalion Chief Bill Crapps has gone from being a new hire to the highest ranking shift leader in this department,” said New Smyrna Beach Interim Fire Chief Jim Tauber ( shown here at left). “In my 43-year career, that’s among the quickest I’ve seen. It’s a testament to his ability and determination.”

Both firefighters are paramedics and graduates of New Smyrna Beach High School.