Lake County Dedicates New Fire Trucks By Elisha Pappacoda, Public Information Officer In March, Lake County Fire Rescue invited the public to join in “pushback” ceremonies as the division dedicated and named three new fire trucks. The tradition includes renaming the trucks, shining the wheels and rolling them into the fire station. The Class A pumpers manufactured by Pierce in Bradenton carry 1,000 gallons of water, are National Fire Protection Association-compliant, and were purchased using Penny Sales Tax funds. They replace 17-year-old fire trucks. The ceremonies took place in March: Friday, March 17 - Fire Station 52, 306 W. Hermosa St., Lady Lake “April” for the late April Hoover, who worked her way up through the ranks from volunteer firefighter to Lake County Deputy Fire Chief. She died of ovarian cancer in 2008 while working as the Clermont Assistant Fire Chief. Friday, March 24 - Fire Station 77, 13431 Ohio St., Astatula “Leathers,” for Lake County Fire Rescue’s only line of duty death, Firefighter Clifford Leathers, who suffered a heart attack while working on a patient in 1989. Friday, March 31- Fire Station 112, 16240 County Road 474, Clermont “Iris,” for a Safe Haven baby dropped off at the firehouse in 2006 and later adopted to a loving family who has since sent holiday cards to the station each year. Plantation Firefighters Clean up Tornado Aftermath By Joel Gordon, Battalion Chief Cellphones began chirping at approximately 1:30 am on March 14 announcing a Tornado Warning for the Plantation area. Less than 20 minutes later, 9-1-1 calls started coming in from across the city reporting downed trees and freight train sounds. The first arriving engine reported downed trees and scattered debris, but no structural damage. As more calls came in it was obvious something cut a path across central Plantation creating a swath of damage in its wake. Firefighters immediately began clearing the streets, making the darkened roads safe and accessible. With the morning light came an official report from the National Weather Service in Miami that an F1 Tornado with winds in excess of 80 miles per hour touched down in Plantation. While land-based tornadoes are rare in South Florida, this was Plantation’s second encounter with a twister. But unlike the tornado strike in 2012, this one only brought downed trees and power lines, and a few damaged vehicles. There were no injuries and no structural damage. Nonetheless, Plantation’s firefighters spent several hours clearing public roadways and assisting local residents in clearing their property. “Legally we cannot just go onto private property and start clearing the debris,” explained Fire Chief Laney Stearns. “But if we’re invited, we certainly will come and help. That’s what we do.” Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue Class 16-01 Graduates By Mike Jachles, Public Information Officer On April 4, Fire Chief Joseph J. Fernandez presented sixteen firefighter/paramedic recruits with their badges and black helmets. Deputy Fire Chief Miriam Erdman administered the oath to swear in the new class at the I.T. Parker Community Center in Broward's first city, Dania Beach. “These are the best and the brightest firefighter candidates, and they join the ranks of one of the finest fire rescue departments in the country,” Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel said. Before they were assigned to the field, the, recruits successfully completed their one-year probationary period that included a 320-hour orientation program before they were assigned to the field. The new firefighter appointees are Rashane Bennett, Michael Binger, Nelson Bravo, Nickolas Cantalupo, Adrian Diaz, William Gates, Ryan Layun, Joshua Madan, Krystopher Malarski, Fabian Mitidieri Navarro, Paul Monteagudo, Nelson Morillo Rodriguez, Michael Pollock, Klauss Richard, Kenny Sanchez and Erich Smith. The next group of recruits, Class 17-01, has 20 probationary firefighter/paramedics, and will finish their 320-hour orientation training this month before receiving their assignments. They will complete their probationary period next May. Pictured bottom L-R: Fire Chief Joseph Fernandez, left, and Division Chief Harris Henbest, right, present Firefighter/Paramedic Rashane Bennett with the Outstanding Recruit Award Kissimmee Receives Pet Oxygen Mask Kits By Joan Robinson The City of Kissimmee Fire Department recently received five (5) new pet oxygen mask kits to better prepare its first responders assist pets. The five donated kits will be distributed to each of the City’s fire stations, replacing the aging kits currently in the field, which have been used before to assist pets affected by smoke during a fire. Known as “Project Breathe”, the Invisible Fence Brand further extends its goal of saving the lives of pets by equipping first responders with tools to help pets breathe easier when affected by smoke inhalation from fire. According to the Invisible Fence Brand, industry sources estimate 40k to 150k pets die each year in fires, with most succumbing to smoke inhalation. Each pet oxygen mask kit donated includes a small, medium, and large mask to serve pets of all types and sizes. Angie and Tom Kurrack, owners of the Invisible Fence Brand dealer covering Central Florida, presented the donated pet oxygen mask kits to Fire Chief Jim Walls, Lieutenant Joan Robinson, and Lieutenant Dwight Johnson on March 29, 2017. Angie Kurrack stated she and Tom “are thankful the City of Kissimmee is prepared with the equipment to assist pets in distress if needed”. FLORIDA FIRE SERVICE May 2017 34