FLORIDA FIRE SERVICE July 2017 44 From Fire Hose to Fishing Pole! By Suzanne Boisvert, PPFD Emergency Management Congratulations to FF/PM Joe Batista on his retirement after 27 years with the Pinellas Park Fire Department! Joe joined Pinellas Park in 1990 as a Firefighter/Paramedic after spending eight years as a Paramedic Supervisor for the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. During his career with Pinellas Park, Joe became an Acting Lieutenant, Engine Operator, and Squad Operator, and was a member of the Pinellas County Hazardous Materials Team for 21 years. In 1992, Joe was part of a team of firefighters deployed to Homestead, Florida, to assist during the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew. Joe’s plans for retirement are to enjoy his favorite hobbies – hunting and fishing – and to spend lots of time with his wife, three children, and six grandchildren. Mission: Lifeline EMS Gold Plus Award By Shon Broedell, Deputy Chief of Operations/PIO Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue has received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline EMS Gold Plus Award for implementing quality improvement measures for the treatment of patients who experience severe heart attacks. Every year, more than 250,000 people experience an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), the most deadly type of heart attack caused by a blockage of blood flow to the heart that requires timely treatment. Mission: Lifeline seeks to save lives by closing the gaps that separate these patients from timely access to appropriate treatments. Mission: Lifeline’s EMS recognition program recognizes emergency medical services for their efforts in improving systems of care and improving the quality of life for these patients. “Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue is dedicated to making our service among the best in the country, and the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline program is helping us accomplish that by implementing processes for improving systems of care. This will help us improve quality of care for all acute coronary syndrome patients,” said Cory Bessette, Division Chief of EMS. “We are pleased to be recognized for our dedication and achievements in emergency medical care for all cardiac patients.” LeDuc Address NFPA Attendees on Survival International Association of Fire Chief’ Association’s Safety, Health & Survival Section Secretary and Broward County Assistant Fire Chief Todd LeDuc was invited to address NFPA Expo attendees in Boston, MA. With over 5,000 attendees at the Expo, Chief LeDuc proceded Boston Fire Commissioner Joe Finn, speaking on Surviving the Fire Service. In particular, the triad of preventable occupational threats to firefighters including cardiovascular, cancer and behavioral health threats not the least of which being fire service suicide. A review of the current state of the science as well as prevention strategies most notably firefighter specific regular screenings and physicals. While occupational health threats are clear and measurable, they are all combatted with early detection and vigilance. LeDuc stressed to every attendee that their risk becomes everyones’s risk once they hit the foreground. Broward Crew Receives Award By Mike Jachles, Public Information Officer Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue Deerfield Beach crews received the Firefighter/Paramedic of the Year Award from Broward Health North at their May 22 Annual EMS Appreciation Breakfast. The award recognized the crew for their response to a cardiac arrest call in their city. Patrick Hanrahan suffered the heart attack last January, and his wife found him not breathing and pulseless. Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived first on the scene and initiated CPR on Hanrahan, a retired BSO deputy. When Rescue 51 and Engine 102 arrived, they initiated aggressive advanced life support care and the patient had a return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) en route to the hospital. Hanrahan was taken to Broward Health North, where they called a code ICE and delivered interventional cardiology treatment. His full recovery was due to the teamwork of the deputies, the EMS crew: Lt David Blue and firefighter/paramedics Anthony Luzardo and Bradley Williams on Rescue 51; Lt. Lew Thompson, D/E William Wright, and FF/PM Bradley Williams on Engine 102; and the medical care from the staff at Broward Health North. Delray Beach Fire Rescue’s CERT Graduation By Kevin Saxton, Captain, Public Information Officer On Wednesday, May 31, 2017, Delray Beach Fire Rescue celebrated the graduation of 25 volunteer Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members. The CERT is a program whereby residents of the City’s neighborhoods are trained to help their neighbors in times of disaster that may outweigh or prevent the response capabilities of emergency services. There are currently hundreds of CERT trained individuals in the City of Delray Beach. These new members will continue to increase the capabilities of the team. PHFR Fire Boat 68 Unveiled By Elizabeth Monforti, PIO/Fire and Life Safety Education On the morning of May 23, 2017, Palm Harbor Fire Rescue unveiled their latest addition to its fleet, a 25-foot custom AmeraCat Catamaran designated as Fire Boat (FB) 68. Fire Chief Craig Maciuba opened the program. The Palm Harbor Honor Guard presented colors, a tradition in any fire department ceremony. An invocation was given by Reverend Lt. Milton Smith (Ret.), and State Representative Chris Latvala was a guest speaker. A “wetting down” ceremony was conducted which officially welcomed Fire Boat 68 into the Palm Harbor Fire Rescue family. The ceremony ended with FB68 departing from the dock with guests who attended the ceremony. Thank you to Senator Latvala who was integral at securing the grant that made FB 68 possible. Palm Harbor Fire Rescue is very appreciative of his continued support. July 2017 FFS.QXD 6/29/17 9:55 AM Page 44