Firefighter Paramedic Chris Calio retires

Published on April 02, 2026

April 2, 2026 – Flagler County Fire Rescue Firefighter Paramedic Chris Calio retired on April 1, no joke, and had the privilege of spending the day with his son, Nick Calio – brand new to the department at Fire Station 16 on the Volusia County border. Also on shift were Chris Calio’s best friends: Noah Hunt and Jake Gonzalez.

“I have been with the department for more than 20 years,” the elder Calio said. “I am excited for Nick joining the department, and I was surprised to see him here on the same shift. Usually, family members don’t work the same shift, same station. I also wanted the chance to work my last shift with Jake and Noah.”

Given that firefighting was a second career for Chris Calio – the first being in hospitality as an Orlando-area bakery owner – he said the job will likely be different for his son.

“I’ve seen the growth in this agency,” the elder Calio said. “There are a lot of great people here.”

Nick Calio, who started two weeks ago but doesn’t have his first shift until Monday, said he always wanted to be a firefighter and noted that his uncle is a New York firefighter.

“I’m like 25% nervous, and 75% excited,” the younger Calio said. “This is something I’ve always wanted.”

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