We would like to congratulate the personnel who participated in this year’s Fight For Air Stair Climb hosted by the American Lung Association.  In full gear, the personnel climb 42 floors to the top of the Bank of America building in Tampa.  Additionally their efforts...

It is with great pride that we recognize Firefighter/EMT Stuart Ramer on recently receiving the Exemplary Duty Commendation.  It is because of his out of the box thinking on an active hazardous materials scene that we were able to mitigate the issue in a timely...

We are proud to announce that we have equipped all response units with the TSS Emergency Plug, a cutting-edge tool designed to enhance safety when dealing with electric and hybrid vehicles during emergency incidents. The Emergency Plug prevents unexpected vehicle...

This week, our crews conducted training with new equipment used on the scene of vehicle accidents. These state-of-the-art tools allow us to secure unstable vehicles quickly and safely, ensuring a more efficient and controlled rescue operation.  [gallery...

SMFR recently replaced the aging fleet of inspector vehicles with new F-150 model. These vehicles will not only help with the need of the Fire Prevention Bureau but better prepare us for storm season. They are equipped with an emergency light package and 4 wheel...

It is with great pride that we recognize Lieutenant Shawn McMullen, Firefighter Paramedic Mario Disi, Firefighter EMT Zach Duncan, and Firefighter EMT Randy Smith on their efforts to bring a new life into this world. They are receiving a Genesis Award for assisting in...

Southern Manatee Fire Dept. would like to thank Sozo’s kids for their 2nd stop on their holiday tour. On Friday, 12/06/24, Sozo’s kids performed their act for the firefighters of Southern Manatee, which included a Christmas tree competition for the firefighters....

This past week we participated in the Manatee County Multi-Agency Exercise, working alongside our partner agencies to sharpen our operational fireground skills. These training exercises are crucial—they allow us to coordinate, communicate, and refine our tactics in a...

At last week’s Manatee County Fire Chiefs Association annual awards meeting, our department personnel were recognized for their efforts during Tropical Storm Debbie, Hurricane Helene, and Hurricane Milton.  Not only did they assist in county but were also deployed to...

We had an absolutely incredible time thanks to the hard work and dedication of Pastors Kevin and Brittney Chamberliss from New Breed Ministries, and Donnie and Tonia Johnson of Freedom Gathering. They put together a fantastic 6-day event right here in our local park,...

Southern Manatee Fire Rescue District with the assistance of the City of Bradenton Fire Department responded to an uncontrolled chemical leak in an enclosed semi-trailer on Feb 17th. SMFR Hazmat team quickly responded and took quick action by making entry in Level A...

During our most recent training, personnel were able to highlight their skills by conducting extrication training on vehicles in a simulated accident. This helped them hone their skills and be better prepared for the real-life event. [gallery...

We would like to congratulate the 2024 award recipients: Staff Employee of the Year: Andrea Fullen Officer of the Year: Mike Questionati Firefighter of the Year: Bobby Pietsch Rookie of the Year: Justin Flores Thank you to all of Southern Manatee Fire Rescue for...

We would like to thank Pick Your Parts for the continued support of our extrication training. It is through their vehicle donations that we can prepare our personnel to extract crash victims from vehicles in an expedited manner.

This month’s fire training focus was on Search and Rescue.  The personnel were tasked with locating the victim in a limited visibility environment.  To replicate limited visibility, the personnel are wearing opaque shields over their masks.  Once the victim is removed...

We would like to congratulate Firefighter/EMT Robert Davis on 15 years of service to the citizens of our fire district!  Thank you for your dedication!

We would like to thank all of the volunteers that came out to assist with the annual.  The money raised, goes to Muscular Dystrophy Association that has been connected with the fire service for many years.  The “Fill The Boot” initiative wouldn’t be possible without...

This week, local fire responders are touring Tropicana Industries to gain firsthand knowledge of plant operations and potential hazards. This proactive approach ensures our teams are fully prepared to respond effectively in an emergency. Through cooperative planning...

Thanks to the efforts of the on duty personnel and inspectors over the weekend, SMFR was able to install over 200 detectors in local mobile home parks.

We would like to congratulate Inspector Paramedic Ian Segneri and Firefighter Paramedic Kyle Brady on completing 5 years of service to the citizens of Southern Manatee Fire Rescue District!