Davis Wood Receives May 2024 Employee of the Month

The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to recognize Davis Wood, Public Information and Education Officer for Public Safety, as the May 2024 Employee of the Month.

Wood's career with Escambia County began on Aug. 16, 2021. As the Public Safety PIO, Wood represents each division, including EMS, Fire Rescue, Emergency Management, Emergency Communications, and the Pensacola Beach Lifeguards. He manages media inquiries and interviews for each division, manages social media, and writes press releases to share department news stories, hiring opportunities, severe weather alerts, and more.

In addition, Wood regularly seeks training opportunities to hone his skills as a PIO. He has completed numerous FEMA courses and attended workshops to gain a deeper understanding of crisis communications, citizen engagement, disaster response, and media relations. He is a FEMA-certified Public Information Officer, a member of the Florida Public Relations Association Pensacola Chapter and a graduate of Leadership Pensacola Class of 2022.

"I'm incredibly honored to be recognized as Escambia County's Employee of the Month," said Wood. "This would not be possible without the support of my coworkers and supervisors from Community and Media Relations and Public Safety. Every day, there is an important story to tell about Escambia County, and I'm honored to be given a platform to share that story. With this honor, I feel encouraged and motivated to continue working with our first responders and Public Safety divisions to tell our story and highlight the heroism performed each and every day."

When a wildfire spread along Gulf Beach Highway and Dog Track Road on April 4, Wood was instrumental in communicating updates to the public and the media. Working with Escambia County Fire Rescue and Emergency Management, Wood collaborated with the Escambia County Sheriff's Office, the American Red Cross, and the Florida Forestry Service to provide information on road closures, evacuations and shelters. Wood stayed on-scene well after his workday had ended and held a press conference to brief the media, ensuring the public stayed informed during a challenging time.

"Davis is an invaluable asset to the Escambia County Public Information Office, serving as both the county's Public Information and Education Officer for the Public Safety Department and Community and Media Relations," said Director for Communications and Public Information David Heroux. "His exceptional skills, tireless work ethic and effortless adaptability are evident in everything he does. His unwavering dedication to exceeding expectations truly sets him apart, making him a trusted liaison between the county, media and elected officials."

"Davis is a fantastic member of our team," said Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore. "He works hard to represent Public Safety in a positive light and maintains strong relationships with our local media members. Davis always displays a helpful, can-do attitude and is a great team player. We appreciate all he does for us and look forward to his continued success."

Outside of work, Wood enjoys spending time with his friends and family. He is an avid sports enthusiast and proudly supports the Tampa Bay Rays. He and his wife, Amanda, are expecting their first child in September.

The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners commends and congratulates Wood on his selection as the May 2024 Employee of the Month.