Meet Anthony Gonzalez, Firefighter/Paramedic and Step-Up Driver with our Fort Walton Beach Fire Department. Anthony has been with our Fire Department for three years now, but he worked previously as EMS for 15 years prior. In those short three years, Anthony has made a significant impact on the Fire Department, Fort Walton Beach, and the local community. Anthony is a dedicated FWB firefighter and public servant. “I take pride in serving my community because it gives me the opportunity to give back and to be a part of something that betters the city I live and work in.”
When asked what he wanted to be when he grew up, he explained that he wanted to be a firefighter ever since he was a kid, and though it may sound cheesy, it’s the truth. When he was young, he saw a Medivac land and watched Firefighters handle the evacuation. That day, he told his father, "I'm going to do that someday." He was right, and he’s been an asset to our community. Ultimately, being a Firefighter to him, is about giving yourself up for the greater good of our community because serving his community and helping save lives is the highest importance. He is greatly respected throughout the department which can be largely attributed to his dedication and genuine passion for helping people. Anthony wanted to play a part in having an impact on our residents’ lives. He genuinely loves his job, the people he works with, and the residents he works for. He is the child of Cuban immigrants, and he takes pride in serving his community because it gives him the opportunity to give back for everything he is able to have here.
Anthony is a Florida native and currently resides right here in Fort Walton Beach with his wife and children. His hands are full both on the clock and off as he has four children spanning from the ages of 2 to 19 years old, two with special needs. When he isn’t working, he likes to spend time with his wife and kids. Sometimes you may find him Downtown as that’s one of his favorite places in Fort Walton Beach. We asked him a few questions about his experience as a Firefighter. Check it out below!
Getting to know Anthony Gonzalez:
- Why did you choose to work for the City of Fort Walton Beach?
- When Anthony served as EMS, he responded to calls with many different agencies in the local area. However, when he responded to calls with the City of Fort Walton Beach (FWB), the skill, professionalism, and excellence of the FWB Fire Department was the most remarkable. He saw how the FWB Fire crews were like a family with strong comradery, and he knew that he wanted to be a part of that.
- What is something people might not know about Firefighters and our FD?
- Firefighting is more than just responding to fires and it's not like what you see on television. It's about helping give individuals, citizens, and families the opportunity to make more memories, which is why he wanted to be a Firefighter. Being a Firefighter with FWB also includes continual training to make sure that they are ready to respond to all emergency situations because their number one priority is our community and our residents. When they respond to calls, Anthony explained that they treat every call as if they were responding to their own spouse, children, parents, friends, etc., because they know that these individuals are people's spouse, parent, friend, etc. It's important to Anthony and the Department that they help these residents because overall, everything they do is for our residents, to be able to provide the best response and care.
- What is your favorite memory of being at Fort Walton Beach Fire Department?
- It was hard for Anthony to sum up his best memory since he has had so many impactful memories with the FWB Fire Department. One of his most impactful memories is when he responded to a pediatric code, and he later learned that the child made it because of the Fire Department's and emergency personnel's response.
- Another instance is when his 5-year-old son with special needs had a very serious medical emergency, requiring his son to be in critical care for a month. They weren't sure if his son would make it, so it was a scary time for Anthony and his family. However, the FWB Fire Department banded together and made sure that he and his family were taken care of. His Crew mates picked up shifts so that he could be there for his son, visited his son in the hospital, and helped his other children as well. The Fire Department helped take care of him so that he could take care of his family. After that, he knew that there was no other place he ever wanted to work at. The Fire Department not only takes care of our residents, but they also take care of each other.
- What is the most unique part about being a Firefighter and working for the City?
- “The most unique thing about working for the City is the great culture.” He shared that most of the Firefighters, himself included, live in the City of Fort Walton Beach. They take pride in living in the City. When they respond to calls, they know they are responding to their neighbors and fellow residents. They are proud to serve the City they live and work in.
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