Palm Coast – The Flagler-Palm Coast Kiwanis Club has named Palm Coast Driver Engineer Joseph Fajardo its 2021 Firefighter of the Year.

Fajardo, a firefighter with more than 5 years of service, joined the Palm Coast Fire Department in 2016 as a Firefighter-EMT. He was promoted to the rank of Driver Engineer in December 2020 and is currently preparing for the Lieutenant’s promotional exam next week.

Above and beyond his duties as a Driver Engineer, Fajardo eagerly accepted the role as the Community Engagement Officer for the fire department. He coordinates public education events, fire prevention activities and the CPR program. Additionally, he established the Fire Department’s Junior Firefighter Program and actively serves as the Program Coordinator.

Fajardo was selected for this award by the fire department command staff because of his commitment to excellence with the Public Education and Fire Prevention programs and for greatly enhancing residents’ quality of life through the department’s community engagement, public education and fire prevention.

“Driver Engineer Joseph Fajardo is an emerging leader within the Palm Coast Fire Department,” said Battalion Chief Potter, who nominated Fajardo for the award. “Joe has a servant’s heart. He selflessly and sacrificially serves others and does so with a huge smile on his face.”

Fajardo obtained his paramedic certification in 2018 from Daytona State College and firefighter certifications in 2016. Over the past three years, Firefighter Fajardo has been working toward accomplishing his Fire Officer and Fire Inspector Certifications. He lives in Palm Coast with his wife and kids.

The Flagler-Palm Coast Kiwanis Club has been a local chapter of Kiwanis International for the past 40 years. This annual award is given to local firefighters during National Fire Prevention Week to recognize them for their service, dedication and commitment to their communities. The award was presented by Kiwanis Chapter President Frank McElroy, a Flagler County School Board Member, and Awards Chairman Frank Consentino.