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Employee Engagement Newsletter February 2024 | Issue 18
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In this issue:
 Optimist Day | February 1
Celebrate those who look to the future with hope, and share their enthusiasm, skills, and talent to make that tomorrow a vibrant and peaceful one.
Volunteers and youth, in particular, support their communities through their ingenuity and energy to create a hopeful future. Let's give a collective shout-out to Flagler Volunteer Services that does so much to support our community.
 Groundhog Day | 020224
Will there be six more weeks of Winter? Some Floridians think that would be a blessing.
Many believe if the groundhog sees its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. If this is so, it retreats into his den and goes back to sleep. However, if it does not see his shadow, the groundhog remains outside to play, and people celebrate, believing spring is just around the corner.
The groundhog, actually a woodchuck (Marmota monax) that is also known as the whistle pig, does not live in Florida nor does it chuck wood (How much wood could woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?). It does, however, whistle, bark, yip, and chatter to scare off predators.
 Four Chaplains Day | February 3
The U.S. Army Transport ‘Dorchester’ on February 3, 1943 was sunk in frigid water off the coast of Newfoundland by a German submarine. The four chaplains, all lieutenants, were among the 904 aboard. Rev. George L. Fox (Methodist), Rabbi Alexander D. Goode (Jewish), Rev. Clark V. Poling (Dutch Reformed), and Fr. John P. Washington (Roman Catholic) remained on the sinking Dorchester. Only 230 were rescued.
Eyewitnesses recounted the heroism of the chaplains, including giving their life jackets and gloves to other service members. They prayed with service members, assisting them into lifeboats.
 Organ Donor Day | February 14
Observed each year on February 14, National Organ Donor Day aims to increase awareness about organ donation and the lives it saves. In the United States, more than 120,000 people are waiting for a life-saving organ donation.
The observance focuses on five different types of donations: Organs – Tissues – Marrow – Platelets – Blood. Many nonprofit health organizations sponsor blood and marrow drives and organ/tissue sign-ups across the nation. Approximately every two seconds, there is someone in the U.S. who needs blood, which translates to the need for more than 41,000 daily donations.
 February 17 is Cabbage Day
Cabbage Day, February 17, recognizes the garden staple that is also vitally important to the economy of Flagler County. The University of Florida IFAS Extension tracks its economic relevance.
Cabbage, which comes from the French caboche, meaning head, is an ancient food from the area of the world that is now Turkey and the eastern Mediterranean. French explorer Jacques Cartier was the first to bring cabbage to the Americas.
The cabbage family is quite varied and includes Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, bok choy, kohlrabi, and kale. It is no secret to us that it is versatile and can be eaten raw, steamed, or fried into any number of tasty dishes. What's your favorite? Slaw to top a hot dog, fried and served with black-eyed peas, maybe made into cabbage rolls, or cooked with corned beef and potatoes?
 BIG RED BUS 2024 blood drive schedule
Wednesdays in front of the GSB:
- March 20
- May 15
- July 10
- September 4
- October 30
- January 8, 2025
Support First Responders Blood Drive:
- Friday, July 19 at the EOC
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 February is the third month of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and the snowiest month of the year, but thankfully not in Florida. The full moon, which will occur on the 24th, is named the Snow Moon.
How rare are leap year babies? The odds against being born on February 29 are very high. While the probability of being born on any given day is 1 in 365, the chances for leap year births are only 1 in 1,461 days.
Once every six years, it’s the only month to have four full seven-day weeks. In the years that aren’t leap years, otherwise known as common years, February and March start on the same day of the week.
Everyone loves to talk about Ground Hog Day, Valentine’s Day, and the Super Bowl in February, but baseball fans know that pitchers and catchers report to spring training for the season. There is no truer sign that winter is almost behind us.
And yes, the 29th falls on Thursday, per the upper right photo.
 We celebrate the employment anniversaries of our wonderful staff. Flagler County is fortunate to have so many good people within our ranks! Thank you for your service to the county!
- Jorge Salinas, Deputy County Administrator, 2021
- Rose Keirnan, Executive Administrative Assistant to the BOCC, 2016
- Jonathan Lewis, Airport Attendant, 2022
- Ronald Titus, Firefighter-Paramedic, 2011
- Thomas Cope, Firefighter-Paramedic, 2016
- Cory Sattar, Firefighter-Paramedic, 2016
- Mark Thomas, Firefighter-Paramedic, 2016
- Jesus Mesta, Firefighter-Paramedic, 2004
- Jason Powell, Fire Lieutenant, 2004
- Adam Vandeusen, Firefighter-Paramedic, 2004
- Jonathan Lord, Emergency Management Director, 2018
- Elena Malzahn, Paramedic, 2023
- Zachary Schroeder, Firefighter-Paramedic, 2017
- Mark Giblin, Logistics Manager, 2022
- Noah Hunt, Firefighter-Paramedic, 2014
- Todd Whaley, FireFlight Director of Operations and Maintenance, 2014
- Kyle Najpaver, Firefighter-Paramedic, 2012
- Justin Stone, Firefighter-Paramedic, 2012
- Weldon Spurling, Engineering Project Manager, 2021
- Steven Durrance, Senior Chief of Trades, 1996
- Steven Majewski, Transportation Driver, 2022
- John Triana, Equipment Operator II, 2022
- Robert Yanochko, Tradesworker II Maintenance, 2022
- Tim Baltzley, Equipment Operator II, 2018
- Mike Dickson, General Services Director, 2008
- Jacob Smith, Equipment Operator II, 2018
- Robert Gavazzi, Energy Management Coordinator, 2006
- Maryann Figueroa, Transportation Driver, 2011
- Ryan Belhumeur, Tradesworker II Construction, 2019
- George Jarosz III, Equipment Operator III, 2018
- William Weeks, Equipment Operator III, 2005
- Antonio Costa, Transportation Driver, 2016
- Frank Barbuti, Parks and Recreation Manager, 2003
- Aaron Shilliday, General Services Project Coordinator, 2020
- Edwin Rodriguez, Licensing Coordinator, 2006
- Windi Kirsch, Central Permitting Technician, 2021
- Susan Graham, Development Engineer, 2015
- Winnie Costello, Senior Services Program Manager, 2017
- Devrie Paradowski, Housing Program Manager, 2022
- Linda Bradshaw, Adult Day Care CNA, 2023
- Anita Stoker, Benefits and Wellness Manager, 2014
- Paul DeMichelle, Network Administrator, 2023
- Jacqueline Brown-Jackson, Library Associate I, 2012
Daniel Simon, GIS Technician, comes to Flagler County via Virginia. He has a bachelor's degree from George Mason University in Geography and a minor in Urban and Suburban Studies.
While at the university, he interned for the Federal Communications Commission and worked for George Mason University as a Communications Consultant.
He comes to Flagler to pursue a roll aligned with his skill sets and background. Thanks for bringing your talents here to Flagler County! Welcome aboard.
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Jessica Martin, Procurement Coordinator, has a master's degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.
She spent a dozen years working for the Maryland-based Evergreen Shipping Agency Corporation where she had a successful career negotiating contracts, ensured customers were presented optimal scenarios, and facilitated the development of new employees.
We are glad you relocated to Florida and made Flagler County your home!
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Bertha Reddin, On-Call Adult Day Care CNA, had been working Private Duty as a Personal Caregiver before deciding to come work for Flagler County.
She said she is seeking "a CNA position in a reputed organization where I can use my nursing skills and compassionate nature to serve the elderly."
Thank you for bringing your skills and compassion here to Flagler County. Welcome!
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Welcome to Flagler County!
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A big shout-out to Marcos Martinez who has been promoted from Paramedic to Firefighter-Paramedic. Congratulations for a job well done. Thank you for your dedication to the residents of Flagler County!
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Congratulations go to Michael Lagasse who was promoted from Public Lands and Natural Resources Manager to General Services Assistant Director.
Kudos on a job well done!
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 IT Security Analyst Carli Rodrigues returned to work after bringing this little baby doll into the world in November.
"She came into this world at a whopping 6 pounds 7 ounces, and 19.5 inches long," said Carli. "I’m happy to share a photo of my little rainbow baby."
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 National Caregivers Day is February 16 and it recognizes those selfless individuals who provide quality, compassionate care every day. Caregivers deliver a variety of duties from personal care to medical services with compassion and professionalism. Their days may be long and demanding, but they provide support to those who need it most.
Flagler County has a fabulous team of caregivers who staff the Adult Day Care program. A big thank you goes out to: Program Manager Dawn Lord, RN; Sue Collister, LPN; Julie Anderson, CNA; Linda Bradshaw, CNA; and, on-call, Nancy Cox, CNA, and Bertha Reddin, CNA.
We would be remiss if we did not mention the Senior Services Division staff for their efforts to manage and coordinate client services that include caregiver and in-home services which contract vendors provide. Another round of thanks goes to: Program Manager Winnie Costello, Mark Foust, Laura Lavelle, Michael Frederick, Dominga Robinson, and Holly Agustin.
If you or someone you know is in need of services, please contact Adult Day Care Program Manager Dawn Lord or Senior Services Program Manager Winnie Costello.
 It was happenstance that Firefighter-Paramedic Andy Thomas was in the right place to save the life of someone choking. He and fellow crew members of Rescue 92 had been called to a facility to serve the needs of another patient when staffers there told the crew of someone else who was choking.
"Firefighter-Paramedic Thomas separated from his crew while they attended to the first patient, and he made contact with the choking patient," Flagler County Fire Rescue Chief Michael Tucker told the Board of County Commissioners at the January 8 meeting. "Firefighter-Paramedic Thomas reportedly found the individual to be unresponsive, apneic (not breathing) and provided abdominal thrusts in an attempt to dislodge the airway obstruction. The individual was then noted to begin weakly breathing on their own. The prompt actions by Firefighter-Paramedic Thomas likely saved the patient's life, and improved the subsequent prognosis."
Chief Tucker also noted that his actions were also notable as he performed without the normal assistance of a crew, or the foresight to prepare for what he was encountering.
"He did what he could with what he had, in a very crucial moment," Chief Tucker said.
Thank you for your service to the residents of Flagler County!
Amy Lukasik, executive director for Palm Coast and the Flagler Beaches, Flagler County’s official tourism organization, will serve on Destinations International’s 2024 Advocacy Committee. Destinations International serves as the world’s largest trade association for destination organizations.
She joins about 65 other tourism professionals on the committee to recommend partnerships, best practices, and resources that communicate the value and impact of destination organizations to their leadership, stakeholders, and community. The committee will also provide robust support for policies that positively affect the industry and speak out on issues of concern.
“I am honored to be selected as a member of the 2024 Advocacy Committee member for Destinations International, a prestigious organization that is an ally for tourism organizations and professionals around the world,” Lukasik said. “I look forward to helping advance the tourism industry, both locally and globally, through my appointment.”
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 Flagler County Communications Coordinator Julie Murphy, PIO, MPIO, along with Palm Coast Fire Department Lt. Patrick Juliano, taught the revamped FEMA Public Information Basics (E/L/K0105, formerly 290 Basic Public Information Officer and 291 Joint Information System/Joint Information Center) to public information professionals across the State of Florida -- and one member from the FBI out of Atlanta. These are the professionals tasked with conveying critical communications during times of disaster, whether natural or manmade.
The class included Emergency Management Planner Tiffany Islam and Flagler County Fire Rescue Firefighter-Paramedic Chris Ellis, as well as Bunnell City Clerk-Administrative Services Director-PIO Kristen Bates.
A big "Thank you!" goes to Emergency Management Director Jonathan Lord, who arranged for the class and hosted it at the EOC. Thanks also goes to Flagler County Fire Rescue Support Volunteer Bill Delaney -- no stranger in Public Information Officer professional circles -- who sat in to help critique the final mock press conferences.
 Andy Dance D-1 | Greg Hansen D-2 | Dave Sullivan D-3 | Leann Pennington D-4 | Donald O'Brien D-5
As a reminder, this newsletter is now monthly. Share items of interest with Julie Murphy, jmurphy@flaglercounty.gov. Work on the next issue begins in about a week. Thank you!
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