On Friday, November 2, 2012, Acting County Administrator Larry M. Newsom appointed Patrick T. Grace to serve as the new Escambia County Fire Chief. Grace has been serving Escambia County as a Battalion Chief since 2001. During this time he gained extensive fire ground experience and interactions with all personnel in the organization, both volunteer and career staff.
 “I am very excited about Chief Grace’s appointment to fire chief,†said Escambia County Public Safety Director Mike Weaver. “His experience as a career and volunteer firefighter gives him special insight into the needs of both groups.â€
Grace was a longtime volunteer in upstate New York before beginning his career with the Milton Fire Department in 1994. During his time in New York he was an active participant in creating a fire department by combining both volunteer and paid personnel. With his personal commitment to the value of both volunteer and career personnel, he was heavily involved in Escambia County’s unification process. Additionally, he volunteers his time as Captain in the Gulf Breeze Fire Department. He has high regard and respect for all fire personnel, both paid and volunteer and looks forward to continuing improvement of the department for the betterment of the Escambia County’s fire services.