Visit us at WWW.FFCA.ORG 43 Gentlemen – Start Your Careers! By Suzanne Boisvert, PPFD Emergency Management Pinellas Park Fire Department is proud to welcome three new employees to the family. We are honored to have such a fine group representing our department! FF/PM Joshua Jacobs (right) is a native of St. Petersburg, Florida, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree from St. Petersburg College. Josh’s long-term goals are to grow through the ranks and join the fire department’s special teams – HazMat, Technical Rescue, and Swat Medics. FF/EMT Zachary Teramae (left) is not new to Pinellas Park Fire Department – in 2010, he joined the PPFD Fire Explorer’s Post and served as a Lieutenant for five years, then Captain his last year. Zachary is currently working on his Bachelor’s Degree at St. Petersburg College and plans to join the PPFD Technical Rescue Team in the near future. FF/EMT Tyler Hoyer (right) is also a former Pinellas Park Fire Explorer and now assists the post as a Fire Explorer Advisor. Tyler is currently attending college and is determined to learn something new every day and be the best firefighter he can be. Okeechobee County Fire Firefighters Recognized By Ralph Frankin, EFO,CFO, Fire Chief On May 25,2017, Okeechobee County Fire Chief Ralph Franklin recognized two of his firefighters at the Board of County Commissioners meeting. Driver Engineer Mike McLeod and Firefighter Paramedic Ricky Hansford were awarded the department’s Meritorious Conduct Medal and received a plaque for their action in saving a Florida Forest Service Ranger. On April 16,2017, McLeod and Hansford were part of the emergency response to a 425-acre brush fire located in the Prairie area of the county. During the course of operations, the crew encountered a strong wind shift that pushed smoke and flames onto the road, taking away almost all of their visibility. As they were exiting the area, the crew came across a forest service dozer that was on fire with the operator still standing on the dozer. The crew deployed a hose line in an attempt to extinguish the dozer, but due to the advanced stage of the fire, the decision was made to evacuate the ranger and the crew. After talking with the representatives from the Florida Forrest Service, the conclusion was reached that had it not been for the efforts of the Driver Engineer McLeod and Firefighter Hansford, the likelihood of injury or worse to the ranger was high and that crew’s actions negated this potential outcome. Chief Franklin states, “These two firefighters are an example of the dedication that fire service personnel have towards saving lives and property.” Pictured L-R: County Administrator Robbie Chartier, Commissioner Bryant Culpepper, Commissioner Kelly Owens, Paramedic Rick Hansford, Commissioner Bradley Goodbread, Commissioner Terry Burroughs, Drive Engineer Michael McLeod, Commissioner David Hazellief, and Fire Chief Ralph Franklin Two Lakeland Firefighters Recognized By Janel Vasallo, MPH, Public Information/Education Officer The Lakeland Fire Department (LFD) is very proud to announce that two if its Firefighters, Damian Motsinger and Brandon Polk were recognized by Polk County’s President’s Roundtable on April 25, 2017, as Firefighters of the Year. The organization is made up of leaders from several community organizations such as Kiwanis, Rotary, Elks, etc. The Firefighters were each recognized for separate acts of heroism outside of their work at the department as emergency responders. Firefighter/Paramedic Damian Motsinger (top) was recognized for providing lifesaving aid to a teenage boy who suffered a horrific skateboarding accident that rendered him unconscious followed by repeated seizures. The boy was found by Firefighter Motsinger, and his wife who is a nurse, on the side of a road on a late Sunday evening. Damian’s quick thinking and medical aid prior to emergency responders arriving is directly credited with saving the boy’s life. Firefighter/EMT Brandon Polk (bottom) was recognized for providing medical aid and emergency guidance at the scene of a fatal car accident while off duty. He noticed the accident and arrived at the same time as responders from LFD’s partners in public safety, Polk County EMS. He worked closely with EMS crews to assess patients and provide Basic Life Support. Upon the arrival of LFD’s Tower 15, he assisted in the extrication of patients entrapped in one of the involved vehicles. The department is extremely proud of both Damian and Brandon. They are a shining example of the department’s firefighters and are greatly appreciated for their dedication and passion to serve, on and off duty. “Sustainable Growth” By Lisa Brekke, Public Education/Training Specialist In January, St. Petersburg Fire Rescue deployed two Peak Load Rescue Units, Medic 1 and Medic 3. These units were acquired through a budget enhancement to address the significant growth in the EMS system demands in the past few years. The intention of the units is to assist in the call volume experienced in St. Petersburg’s busiest areas, those covered by Stations 1, 5 and 3. In 2012, St. Petersburg Fire Rescue responded to 42,050 EMS incidents. In 2015, this number grew to 50,724 incidents, a 17% increase over those four years. As evidenced by these numbers as well as numerous reports, it was clear that additional resources were necessary. These units are initially being deployed on a 40-hour work week, Monday through Friday from 0800-1700 hours. After initial deployment, they will operate on a twoshift rotation with a 48-hour work week with the peak hours covering 0800-2200, requiring an additional ten paramedic positions. Units will be dispatched based on their GPS location within the zone they are covering. Peak Load Units have allowed St Petersburg Fire Rescue to reimagine how EMS demand is addressed, by establishing a more fiscally strategic and efficient, sustainable approach to growth in the future. July 2017 FFS.QXD 6/29/17 9:54 AM Page 43