David Motes

Acting Fire Chief

Acting Fire Chief David Motes has served over 33 years with Clay County. He was born in Portsmouth, Virginia, to a Navy family that lived in many areas from Washington to California, finally settling in Florida. Initially, Chief Motes lived on the west side of Jacksonville, but his family quickly sought a safer life in Clay County, growing up in Lake Asbury in the early 70s. Chief Motes became a State Certified Firefighter in 10th grade while attending Middleburg High School after becoming a Volunteer Firefighter in Lake Asbury. Chief Motes attained an Associate's Degree in Fire and EMS, a bachelor's Degree in Public Administration from Flagler College, and a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Barry University. Chief Motes has several certifications in Fire Rescue Service, including Fire Instructor, Fire Inspector, and Company Officer. Other areas of expertise are Technical Rescue, Haz-Mat, advanced emergency medical programs and instruction, terrorist intervention, tactical medicine, and emergency management. Chief Motes is also a Florida Certified General Contractor with extensive training in building construction.
After graduation, Chief Motes began his career at Ambulance Service Inc., where he gained experience while attaining his paramedic license in 1988. St. Johns County hired him and continued to gain experience in a fast passed progressive emergency medical system before Clay County hired him in June of 1988 to service in Keystone Heights. This was not his first landing in Clay County. He served as a Volunteer Firefighter in Lake Asbury, working through the ranks to Fire Chief into the 90s when Lake Asbury became a career fire station after being assumed by Clay County from the volunteer organization. Tested and proven through the career ranks in Clay County, Chief Motes was promoted to Battalion Chief and appointed Deputy Chief of Operations for Public Safety in 2008. During his tenure in Clay County, Chief Motes joined the Clay County Sheriff’s Office as a paramedic with the Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT). He served over 15 years with his law enforcement brothers and sisters, protecting Clay County.
Chief Motes had served as the Acting Fire Chief / Director of Public Safety since December 2018 when Fire Chief Lorin Mock was called to County Administration. Public Safety is an all-hazards agency and is the largest Department directly under the Board of County Commissioners/County Manager. Public Safety has over 200 sworn and civilian personnel under its command Operations (field), Administrative Services (Logistics, Communication, Community Paramedicine, Fire Prevention, Training/Safety, and Emergency Management. Public Safety Administration is headquartered at the Clay County Emergency Operations Center at the fairgrounds. Chief Motes’s most significant commitment is to the Lord and his family- his wife, Terry, and four children, Allison, Alexis, Dalton, and Ethan.