On August 7th, 2018 Southern Manatee Fire Rescue District along with other Fire Districts and Manatee County EMS assisted Manatee County Sheriff’s Department with their Annual “Family Night Out” Program. Each agency provided equipment and personnel for display and in educating the public over Public Safety and it also provided an opportunity for children of all ages to have fun in learning about Public Safety.

On July 19, 2018 the Southern Manatee Fire Rescue Fire District at their Commission meeting held their awards ceremony. The District awarded the following personnel with the Phoenix Award for resuscitating five (5) cardiac arrest patients during the month of May 2018; Lieutenant Dan Anderson, Firefighter/EMT Keusch, Firefighter/EMT Baserva; Lieutenant Tony Hauck, Firefighter/EMT Mike Murphy, Firefighter/EMT Velazquez, Firefighter/EMT Dunois; Lieutenant Foss, Firefighter/Paramedic Young, Firefighter/EMT Sedgley, Firefighter/EMT Kenniff, Firefighter/EMT Burghdurf.

The Manatee County Fire Chiefs’ Association awarded two Firefighting Academic Scholarships to area high school graduates during their June 28th meeting at City of Bradenton Fire Station #1

On June 21, 2018 the Southern Manatee Fire Rescue Fire Commissioners recognized Mr. Michael Damato for his generous donation of $5000.00 which was used to outfit all first out fire apparatus with the Handtevy Emergency Pediatric equipment.

On June 13, 2018 Commissioner Melanie Marken was awarded her Certified District Official (CDO) by the Florida Association of Special Districts (FASD) at their annual meeting in Orlando. Combined with a demanding job as a paralegal for Sarasota County and her commitment as Commissioner to Southern Manatee Fire Rescue (SMFR), Melanie has dedicated three years of time and effort into obtaining this well respected certification.

The Southern Manatee Fire Rescue District receives a check for $5000.00 for two (2) Safety grants that were submitted to the TIPS program. Captain Robert Thayer submitted two (2) grant applications for two (2) Safety equipment enhancements that the District implemented back in October 2017 for the purpose of reducing injures that could occur at the scene of a motor vehicle accident and structure fire.

On April 19th, 2018 Suzann Moore was recognized for her retirement after 10 years of service to the District. Suzann was assigned to Fire Prevention as their secretary, however Suzann did a lot for many people across all Divisions. Additionally the District recognized Firefighter/EMT Kiel Duquette, Firefighter/EMT Tim Keusch and Firefighter/EMT Richard McGinley for their actions in retrieving a citizen that went off bridge off of Honore Avenue in her pick-up truck.

On April 26th, 2018 the Southern Manatee Fire Rescue District conducted their annual strategic planning workshop that involved all Officers and staff personnel.

On March 4th at 2236 hours, Southern Manatee Fire Rescue District was dispatched to a report of structure fire. When our first Engine arrived on scene they reported a “Working Fire” in a residential home. When our personnel arrived on scene they found two Manatee County Sheriff Deputies already on scene. Deputy Peter Papas was first on scene and actually was in the area before the call came in to us a structure fire, it first came in as a burglar alarm, and law enforcement was dispatched, however immediately after this dispatch, the 9-1-1 center received multiple calls reporting a working fire.

On March 21st at 1618 hours, Southern Manatee Fire Rescue District was dispatched to a report of a person down, possible cardiac arrest. When our first Engine arrived on scene they found a male patient lying on the ground in the rear of a large warehouse with a citizen performing CPR. This citizen was Mark Smith, a co-worker of the patient that was in cardiac arrest. According to Mr. Smith, while working, his co-worker became ill and collapsed. Mr. Smith immediately called 9-1-1 and immediately began CPR.

On Wednesday, March 28 2018, Suzann Moore retired from the Southern Manatee Fire Rescue District after completing ten (10) years of dedicated service to the District and to the citizens that she served. Suzann was assigned to our Fire Prevention Division and filled the position of Fire Prevention Secretary.

On Thursday March 15th, 2018, at 5:00 pm Southern Manatee Fire Rescue District (SMFR), located at 2451 Trailmate Drive, Sarasota, Florida, presented a check to the Cancer Support Network at its regularly scheduled Board of Commissioners Meeting.

On March 2, 3 and 4, 2018, each day starting at 0900 hours and ending around 1200 hours, Southern Manatee Firefighters were out in force at multiple intersections with their fire boots collecting money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).