Media Release

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - On January 26, 2010, the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners confirmed the appointment of Mr. Edwin C. Bailey as Public Safety Director of the Alachua County Department of Public Safety.  The position was made available by the retirement of long time Public Safety Director Will Gray May Jr., effective January 31, 2010.  The appointment of Chief Bailey will be effective February 1, 2010.  The salary has been set at $119,000.

The appointment was initiated by Alachua County Manager Randall H. Reid, and confirmed by a unanimous vote of the Board of County Commissioners on January 26, 2010.  

In speaking of the appointment, Manager Reid said, "Chief Bailey has the ideal combination of experience and leadership abilities to guide the department into the future, particularly during these difficult economic times."

Chief Bailey has an extensive background and vast amounts of experience in the fire fighting profession.  He is a third generation Floridian and second-generation firefighter.  Chief Bailey was born and raised in Jacksonville where his father retired as a Lieutenant with the Jacksonville Fire Rescue Department.

Chief Bailey began his professional career in 1974 with the Orange Park Fire Department (OPFD), where he volunteered for a year before being hired as a firefighter in June 1975. While with OPFD, Chief Bailey obtained his firefighter, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), and Paramedic certifications.  Chief Bailey was among the first group of individuals certified in 1979 as paramedics in the State of Florida.

Chief Bailey began his career with Alachua County as a paramedic attendant in October 1980.  He was also the first certified firefighter hired by Alachua County. In 1981, he was promoted to a newly created shift supervisory position with the Department.  Chief Bailey has promoted to District Chief, Assistant Chief of Operations, Deputy Chief/Deputy Director, and most recently Chief of Fire Rescue.

Chief Bailey has been instrumental in the construction of all of the Department's eleven stations, implementation of fire rescue services, first response advance life support, fire prevention and life safety services. Most recently, he led the Department with the mergers of Archer, Hawthorne, and Waldo fire departments with Alachua County.

Chief Bailey is a graduate of Central Florida Community College with degrees in Fire Science and Emergency Medical Services. He is a Certified Public Manager and State Certified Fire Safety Inspector.

For more information, contact Carol Davis at 352-384-3110.