Careccia named Gilchrist County Fire Chief

By John M. Ayers

The Gilchrist County Commission took action last week to appoint Billy Careccia to the position of Fire Chief in Gilchrist County.
Careccia has been with Gilchrist County for several years serving as the Gilchrist Fire Rescue Training officer.
The Gilchrist Commission appointed Careccia to serve as the interim fire chief when Carlos Perez retired earlier in 2010.
Commissioner Kenrick Thomas reported that Billy Careccia has been working hard doing a great job as interim Fire Chief for Gilchrist County.
“I want to appoint Billy Careccia as Fire Chief where he will serve in that capacity and as the Gilchrist Training officer,” Commissioner Thomas explained.
Commissioner Tommy Langford agreed with a second before the board unanimously agreed to the appointment.
Billy Careccia also reported to the board that a used fire engine owned by Cocoa Beach Fire Rescue is a good truck for Gilchrist County. The interim fire chief explained that he and Milton Weeks traveled to Florida’s east coast to review and inspect the truck recently.
“We test drove the truck for some 15 miles and the unit worked real well,” Careccia explained.
The fire truck is a 1991 model manufactured by E-One that is low in mileage and in good condition. Careccia told the board that Weeks found that the radiator needed some repair, the timing chain cover needed replacement, the front driver’s seat needed repair and the paint on the front portion of the engine was faded. There were several spots of rust on the doors along the window openings that can be easily repaired, Careccia explained.
The truck will be available for purchase after January 1011 for $30,000, Careccia explained. He said the items needing attention were reported to cost no more than $5,000.
The board asked what a comparable truck would cost in the same condition. Ron McQueen reported that a like truck in this good condition could be worth $50,000.
Commissioner Tommy Langford made a motion to purchase the truck after the issues in question have been corrected. Commissioner Harrison agreed with a second for discussion purposes.
Commissioner Harrison asked the county administrator if he could provide the board with a truck to give a like comparison to make sure the county was actually getting a good deal on the fire truck.
Commissioner Langford added this to the motion to be finalized before the purchase of the truck.
The board agreed to the purchase of the truck following a 5-0 vote once the issues were finalized.
McQueen reported this truck would replace a 1984 fire truck that was purchased in 1996 from the City of Orlando for $30,000.