Captain Mike Bloski is among a group that was honored by Congressman Vern Buchanan’s 16th District Congressional Fire and Rescue/EMS Awards ceremony. This award ceremony was held on Wednesday, October 9, 2019, in the evening at the City of Bradenton City Hall Chambers. Congressman Buchanan honored Captain Mike Bloski with the “Dedication and Professionalism Service Award” for his outstanding commitment and tireless efforts to the citizenry and firefighters of the Southern Manatee Fire Rescue District over the creation of our Hazardous Materials Team that is now a State recognized Team that provides Hazardous Materials Response county-wide.
In 2014 Southern Manatee Fire Rescue District took on the responsibility to provide these services county-wide and in doing so Captain Bloski trained 32 of our employees to the State’s Hazmat Technician Level Certification. The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office donated their old Bomb Squad Apparatus to us, and our Team converted this into a Hazmat Response Vehicle (Squad 328). Shortly after Squad 328 was placed into service and began providing 24/7 hazmat response service county wide.
In 2018 Captain Bloski was awarded a SAFER grant to hire 9 new FF/EMT’s/Paramedic’s. These new positions enabled the District to begin operating 3 Haz-mat Technicians per shift on Squad 328. In 2019 the District ordered a new Heavy Rescue to replace this donated truck that was being used for this type of response. The District will take delivery of their new Squad 328 during the month of October 2019.
As soon as this new apparatus goes into service it will run out of Station 2. Station 2 is the District’s Haz-mat Station. All Haz-mat Technicians will be operating out this Station. When a Haz-mat call comes in we will be able to immediately respond Squad 328 and once on scene if it is determined to be a true emergency, Engine 321 will respond with 3 additional Technicians, plus Captain Bloski given us 7 Tech’s on scene to begin immediate resolution of the call.
It is without any hesitation, Captain Bloski is well deserving of the “Dedication and Professionalism Service Award” for his outstanding commitment and tireless efforts to the citizenry and firefighters of the Southern Manatee Fire Rescue District.
