BRADENTON, Fl. – Congressman Vern Buchanan today announced the winners of the 16th Congressional District Fire and Rescue and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Awards. Buchanan established the awards in 2012 to give special recognition to fire and rescue and EMS personnel who have provided distinguished service to his constituents.
“First responders, fire departments and EMS teams are constantly summoned on short notice to extremely challenging circumstances to serve area residents and help save lives,” said Congressman Buchanan. “Oftentimes, they arrive at scenes of great adversity and trauma, to which they reliably bring strength and composure. These brave men and women play an integral role in our community and deserve to know that we have their backs and appreciate their service.”
This year’s award recipients were selected by an independent committee comprised of a cross section of current and retired fire and rescue personnel living in the district.
Buchanan presented awards to the following outstanding fire and rescue and EMS personnel:
Associate Service Award:
- Hillsborough County Citizen Jake O’Brien
Dedication and Professionalism Award:
- Manatee County Emergency Communications Center Senior Telecommunicator Lisa Kalmbach
- Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Deputy Chief Jose Prado
- Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Captain David Raasch
- Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Company Fire Captain Andrew Capeletti
- Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Fire Captain Nico DiNova
- Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Fire Inspector Ryan Gould
- Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Jeffrey Landis
- Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Captain Scott VanDeBoe of Hillsborough County Fire Rescue
Unit Citation:
- Captain Randolfo Rodriguez and Driver/Engineer Jose Obradovich of Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Battalion 6-C
- Charge Paramedic James Bryant, EMT Monica Ramos, and District Chief Robin Thayer of Manatee County EMS
- Fire Chief Tim Geer, Lieutenant Lionel Harrison, Engineer Louis Chiocchio, Engineer Jacob Barwick, EMT Thomas Ferrett, EMT Jared Gould, and Firefighter Bo Gurskis of the Bradenton Fire Department
- Fire Chief Joe Sicking, Assistant Chief Joel Baker, Battalion Chief Blair Pontious, Captain Donald Bunch, Captain Ben Miller, Engineer Justin White, Engineer Michael Davila, Firefighter John Mueller, and Robert Barber (Logistics) of the North River Fire District
- Division Chief Michael Williamson, Lieutenant Payton Edwards, Firefighter James Howard, Firefighter Aaron White, and Firefighter Liz Alvarez of the Parrish Fire District
- Deputy Chief Paul Wren, Lieutenant Adam McDaniel, Firefighter Isaac Libby, and Firefighter Connor Reilly of East Manatee Fire Rescue
- Chief Angel Herrera, Chief Jeffrey Landis, Captain Jeffrey Hartner, Captain Pete Dzuibinski, Driver/Engineer Freddy Miller, Driver/Engineer Stan Hyatt, Driver/Engineer Jerome Mancillas, Lieutenant Eric Kotala, Fire Medic John Maltby, Fire Medic Lucas Haislop, Fire Medic Vinny Mortellero, Fire Medic Matthew Holubik, Fire Medic Adam Hayward, Fire Medic Scott Shedd, Firefighter Angel Rengifo, Firefighter Jared Ladd of Hillsborough County Fire Rescue
- Pilot Alex Myers, Flight Nurse Caitlyn Buell, and Flight Paramedic Kyle Miller of Aeromed
Career Service Award:
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Assistant Chief Jane Herrin of the Longboat Key Fire Department
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Jimmie Hamrick Jr. of Manatee County EMS
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Fire Commissioner Derrick Warner of the West Manatee Fire and Rescue District
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Chief (retired) Edward Cleveland of the West Manatee Fire and Rescue District
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