The City Fire Prevention Division Chief Robert “Bob” Growick announced his retirement, completing his career with a bang after being named the 2020 Fire Marshal of the Year by the Florida Fire Chief Association.
Chief Growick is a 40-year veteran of the fire service and has served for the past eight years as the city’s Fire Marshal.
In his succession, St. Augustine Fire Chief Carlos Aviles announced that Fire Safety Inspector Abby Pedigo has been selected as the next Fire Marshal effective February 23rd.
A St. Augustine native, Pedigo graduated from St. Augustine High School in 2008, and went on to complete her Associates of Arts in English from Santa Fe College in 2009. She graduated from Flagler College in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration. Pedigo joined the St. Augustine Fire Depart.ment in November of 2014 as a firefighter and paramedic.
“The office of the Fire Marshal plays a vital role in our overall mission, and with the position comes an immense amount of responsibility,” said Chief Aviles. “Abby is a loyal and dedicated professional who embodies and lives by our core values. I am confident in her abilities to continue to lead the department forward and face the challenges of future growth and development.”
When asked about being selected as Fire Mar.shal, Pedigo said, “I am grateful for the op.portunity to serve my city in this capacity and humbled by the outpouring of support from my department and our city administration.”
