Share a story or memory of Captain Bill Gustin

My 1st ENCOUNTER with Captain William Vincent Gustin was during my 1st rotation as a ROOKIE. Since my first rotation had open days, I was LUCKY enough to get sent to "THE DEUCE !!!" He saw me without a hand light and let me know how IMPORTANT it was for EVERY firefighter to have a good hand light. He REMOVED his to give to me, and told me that when I got my OWN to bring his back. OBVIOUSLY, I was EXCITED to have Bill Gustin's hand light!!! Soon after I received my hand light, and went to Claude Pepper Towers where he was ALWAYS drilling and returned his light with a gift. The REST is HISTORY!!!

He is responsible for teaching me something that I still use today, even though it wasn't by design. I get a car fire with him at "2" at like 6 AM, and as I start to mask up he tells me what are you doing??? The wind as at your back, just grab the nozzle and put it out!!! Then he says "GREAT JOB !!!", now go and dress down. Following shift, I'm in a SIMILAR situation with DIFFERENT Officer. When the Officer sees me not dressed out, he loses his mind!!! So because of that, if I have NEVER worked with an Officer I ask them "How do you run your medical???" "How do you run your fires???" "What are your pet peeves???"

I will miss his INAPPROPRIATE jokes and comments, because he had NO FILTER!!! I will miss his Heart of The City drills, and of course his FRIENDSHIP!!! I am HUMBLED & HONORED to have had a relationship with him and that I was able to call him FAMILY!!! We will NEVER be able to repay him for ALL he has done for Metro Dade Fire, and there will NEVER be ANOTHER Bill Gustin!!! We are ALL replaceable, but with him, it is a downgrade!!! You may NOT be here in The PHYSICAL, but SPIRITUALLY we ALL carry a little piece of you!!! I was told that LEGACY is NOT what we leave BEHIND for others, but what we LEAVE inside of others!!! You SIR, have left one hell of a LEGACY!!!

Love ya , Rob Ortega of The Havana Building Code

This guy! He did some training with us many years ago... I was a driver engineer at the time with Delray Fire Rescue. Awesome guy! Very knowledgeable, tough, friendly, respectful. I learned a lot, and always remembered his style when I became a captain.

I worked Northside many years with Cap as we called him. The nicest guy ever. He will be missed.

I can’t believe you’re gone—just like that. Why? Who am I going to dance with, laugh with, and vacation with every year when Jimmy and I come to Florida?

You made a lasting impression on me and my family. You always called me “the princess,” and I miss you so much.

RIP, Captain and second dad. ❤️ Love you.

The first time I met Bill was back in 1989 when I was sent to deliver something to him personally. I arrived at Station 2 to find hoses laid out everywhere, with the crew scrubbing and cleaning everything.

I asked, “Who is Captain Gustin?” One firefighter said, “He’s around.” Then he pointed and said, “That’s him.”

There he was—the great Bill—walking back from the market across the street with a loaf of sandwich bread tucked under his arm. He was larger than life, a John Wayne without his horse.

I said, “Captain, I have something for you.”

He replied, “Hey, young man, what’s your name?”

“Alright, Rick. Thanks. And what do you do at Supply?”

That was the kind of guy he was—he cared about people.

Capt always greeted everyone and took the time to learn their names and REMEMBER them.

He would always greet me the same - no matter how high ranked the company he was with - “well if it isn’t the lovely Misses Naso”. Words that always made me smile and make my days a little brighter.

In the gym he would give similar banter - keeping us in check with our fitness and making sure he stayed in top physical shape. He was the man, the myth and the legend himself. The hallways of HQ will never be the same.

The 30 year friendship will always be apart of me. Thank You for making me a better Fireman, I will see you on the Top Floor Cappy !

I first met Captain Gustin when I was a rookie police officer in 1992 at MDPD Station 2 and he was Capt. at Fire Station 2. He was constantly providing guidance, advise, and most importantly, mentorship to the younger folks. I will always remember his sense of humor, practical jokes his crew played on the PD folks, and the camaraderie we all shared as public servants. Captain Gustin is truly one who will never be forgotten.

Shawn Browne

Assistant Sheriff-MDSO

On my first day of EMT school, I remember searching for someone to assist me with printing a document I needed. As I was unfamiliar with the headquarters, I wandered around, unsure of where to go. Eventually, I encountered Captain Gustin. He looked at me and asked, "Hey, young lady, how can I help you?" I explained my need for printing out a paper and he kindly offered to help. Before proceeding, he took a moment to look at me and said, "I have a question—how come your eyelashes are longer than mine?" I replied, "Ummm well, it's because mine are fake." He laughed and responded, "That's a good answer." From that day forward, whenever he saw me or checked on me, he always referred to me by the nickname "Eyelashes." RIP CAPT.

Our paths first crossed when Bill came through training with his recruit class. I believe it was around 1978. It didn’t take long to realize that Bill possessed  extraordinary physical and mental skills. He shared those skills with any of his fellow recruits that needed additional help mastering the skills required in firefighting training.

His firefighting career was outstanding . He never stopped learning and for a good portion of his career he never stopped teaching. I feel blessed that Bill was a part of both my life and career.

Richard Bennett, Ret. MDFR