Visit us at WWW.FFCA.ORG 35 Molenda - New Director of Lake County Public Safety By Elisha Pappacoda, Public Information Officer On March 7, Lake County announced the promotion of Public Safety Deputy Director John Molenda to director upon the scheduled retire- ment of John Jolliff. Molenda joined Lake County Public Safety in 2016 after spending 22 years with Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue, where he retired as deputy fire chief. “I am humbled and honored at this amazing opportunity. Lake County is such an unbeliev- able place to work and live,” said Molenda. “We are a fast grow- ing community and have accomplished so much in the last few years. I’m looking forward to continuing an outstanding provision of service to our residents and visitors.” Molenda also has more than a decade of teaching experience as a lead instructor for many local colleges and educational institutions, holds a para- medic certification, an associate’s degree in fire science. and a bachelor’s degree in fire safety engineering. He was the rescue team manager for FEMA’s Urban Search and Rescue Team, and was deployed to Hurricane Katrina, the World Trade Center after 9/11, and dozens of other disasters around the world. “During his first year of service, John Molenda has helped significantly improve and grow Lake County Public Safety, and particularly, the Fire Rescue Division,” said County Manager David Heath. “His skills and expertise are an asset to the county, and I am confident his leadership as director will benefit not only our personnel, but the citizens who rely on our services daily to keep them safe.” The Lake County Public Safety Department is comprised of Lake County Fire Rescue, Emergency Management and Radio Communications. Boys thank Englewood Firefighters By Kayla Jesswein, Fire Chief’s Administrative Assistant In January, Englewood Area Fire Control District firefighters ran on a motor vehicle accident with extrication of two pediatric patients in critical condition. They were both airlifted to All Children’s Hospital. two months later, Matthew and Kevin Tapalaga, along with their mother, stopped by Englewood Fire Station 71 to thank the firefighters and paramedics who saved their lives that evening. Both boys have fully recovered and were very excited to meet the men who helped them. The Englewood firefighters were very thankful to see that both boys were doing excellent and decided to make them Junior Honorary firefighters. HCFR BlitzesApollo Beach Mobile Home Park By Myesha Johnson, Public Education Technician Hillsborough County Fire Rescue joined forces with the American Red Cross on March 28 to blitz the Caribbean Isles Mobile Home Park in Apollo Beach. Caribbean Isles is a 55+ community with 541 homes. HCFR sent a crew of 13 inspectors and two educa- tors to the event. At the end of the day, 325 ten-year smoke alarms were installed in 133 homes. East Manatee Fire Rescue Promotions and Awards By Lee Whitehurst, Fire Chief The East Manatee Fire Rescue District held their Annual Promotions and Awards Program on March 20. Chief Lee Whitehurst is pleased to announce the follow- ing appointments to Firefighter: Mathew Assenmacher, Timothy Bedell, Adam Butler, Benjamin Carpenter, John Carlson, Dustin Ellis, Dillon Garback. Assenmacher, Carpenter, Carlson, and Ellis were also presented with a military service ribbon for their service in the US Coast Guard, Army, and Marine Corp. respectively. The following promotions were made: Lieutenant Kim Luther to Administrative Officer; Lieutenant Casey Lambert to Captain; Lieutenant Kyle Taylor to Captain; Lieutenant Matt Talaska to Captain; Lieutenant Charles Reid to Captain; Engineer Paul Wren to Lieutenant; Engineer Chris Galbraith to Lieutenant Engineer Eric Hoying to Lieutenant; Engineer Scott Rhodes to Lieutenant; Firefighter Derrick LaPlante to Engineer; Firefighter Steven Baker to Engineer; Firefighter James Darby to Engineer; Firefighter Rob Day to Engineer; Firefighter Steven Krajacic to Engineer; The 2016 Firefighter of the Year was awarded to Firefighter Craig Madsen (Photo 3), and Lieutenant Matt Talaska (Photo 4) was recog- nized as the Fire Officer of the Year for 2016. Other awards presented were: five years of service to Technician Matt Lawson, Commissioner Don O’Leary, and Firefighter Larry White; ten years of service to Firefighter Jason Henderson, Firefighter Derek Parker, and Engineer Paul Wren; 15 years of service to Lieutenant Joe Griffith, Deputy Chief Will Hall, Firefighter Jacob Lilly, and Firefighter Ryan Taylor; 25 years of service to Commissioner Bob Conley; 30 years of service to Lieutenant Bob Mikulski and retiring Inspector Troy Toman. Pictured L-R (photo 1): Chris Galbraith, Eric Hoying, Scott Rhodes, and Paul Wren Pictured L-R (photo 2): Mathew Assenmacher, Timothy Bedell, Adam Butler, Benjamin Carpenter, John Carlson, Dustin Ellis, and Dillon Garback HCFR Educates Students On Tanker Operations By Vivian McIlrath, Public Education Technician On March 23, the crew from Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Station 23 made a special visit to the Strawberry Crest High School Fire Academy in Dover, FL. Over 50 stu- dents received an interac- tive lesson on Tanker Operations and its role in firefighting. In parts of Hillsborough County that do not have hydrants, we rely on our tankers to pro- vide water for crews to extinguish fires. 3 4 2 1