Jumpline magazine Spring 2025 - Flipbook - Page 24
24
Gustin Memorial Speech
Today, we are here to celebrate the sel昀氀ess
contributions, the intentional dedication, and
the storied life of Captain William “Bill” Gustin. It has been said that interesting people
are interested. Captain Gustin was interesting and was always interested in the world
around him.
From the 昀椀re service to the people in his life—his family and
friends, his 昀椀re昀椀ghting brothers and sisters, all those who support our mission, and most of all, the community we serve, to
whom he sel昀氀essly devoted 52 unwavering years; all of us are
here today because this amazing, gracious, and humble public
servant, who has touched our lives in one way, shape, or another.
As 52 year veteran of the 昀椀re service, Captain Gustin is considered one of the most knowledgeable 昀椀re service instructors in
the industry, a distinction that has been immortalized numerous
times. In 2015 he received MDFR’s 昀椀rst and only ever Lifetime
Achievement Award; in 2019 he was the recipient of the Tom
Brennan Lifetime Achievement award, presented by Fire Engineering, and in 2024 he was recognized by International Society
of Fire Service Instructors, receiving the George D. Post Instructor of the Year award, additionally he has received numerous
meritorious distinctions and accolades throughout his career.
As a third-generation 昀椀re昀椀ghter, Captain Gustin began his career in 1973 as a volunteer 昀椀re昀椀ghter in the Chicago area, carrying the legacy after his father and grandfather. In 1978, we
were lucky enough to have him join the then Metro-Dade, now
Miami-Dade Fire Department, where he has served the past 47
years of his career, becoming a lieutenant in 1983 and captain
in 1986.
He has spent more than 30 years as the Captain of Engine 2
on C-Shift at Station 2 and joined the Department’s Training Division 7 years ago as a Training Captain, becoming the lead
Nick Morgado, CFO
instructor in the areas of Recruit Training, In-Service Training,
and our Of昀椀cer Development Programs.
I have had the honor and the opportunity to work closely with
Captain Gustin over the years—from a rookie on his tailboard to
the Lieutenant on Rescue 2 on the C-shift, as a training captain
working alongside him, and as the Chief of Training, or his “Big
Boss” as he liked to say.
I 昀椀rst met Bill, before I was on the department. I was 18, and had
come to Firehouse 2, for a station breakfast with my father, who
was Battalion 5 on the A-shift. As I was following my dad down
the narrow hall of old Station 2, from the front of昀椀ce to the day
room, I heard a boisterous voice greeting my pop. As he stepped
aside, I saw what I already perceived as a larger-than-life 昀椀gure,
Captain Gustin. “Bill, I’d like for you to meet my son, Nick.”
Without missing a beat, he responded, “Slippery Nick! Nice to
meet you. Welcome to Firehouse 2.” That was it. I had my nickname, although I didn’t realize it at the time.
With Bill, everyone had a nickname or a song, and if you were
lucky, you might have had a nickname that was also a song.
Flash forward four years—I am now in my third probationary
rotation on Rescue 2-B, and it is C-Shift morning. There he
was, Captain Gustin. As I went to introduce myself, thinking
he wouldn’t remember me, he once again responded, “Slippery
Nick! Good to see you again. How was your shift?”
Needless to say, I was shocked, not only that he remembered
me, but also the nickname bestowed four years prior.
He then proceeded to give me ten minutes of his precious time,
sharing advice and words of wisdom with a then probationary
昀椀re昀椀ghter.
With Captain Gustin, every day was a training day. He was truly a lifelong student of the 昀椀re service, constantly learning and
sharpening himself and others to be capable of ful昀椀lling our sacred mission with precision.
Spring 2025 | JUMPLINE Magazine
