Southern Manatee Fire Rescue is using drones to determine the risk associated with some hazmat situations. The technology takes the place of the first in entry teams and the drone determines if there are any hazardous materials in the area. Then, the teams know how to properly and safely respond without putting crews in danger.

“Anything we can do to help the public, that’s why we’re here,” proudly stated Chris Gould, Battalion Chief of Southern Manatee Fire Rescue and the county’s Hazard Materials Team Coordinator.

Public safety is number one for Southern Manatee Fire Rescue

On Dec. 15th, 2017, Southern Manatee Fire Rescue District’s Special Operations team was requested to assist the North River Fire District with a leaking marine vessel in the 1000 block of Riverside Dr., Palmetto, Florida. SMFR units arrived on scene and consulted with the Incident Commander along with the U.S. Coast Guard and were immediately requested to assist with spill tracking.

In hazardous situations every moment is critical. So, Rich Gatanis, a Southern Manatee Fire Rescue firefighter with nearly 15 years of experience and drone pilot, uses unmanned flight to give first responders an advantage. Gatanis, who is also the UAS Operations Manager of FLYMOTION Unmanned Systems in Tampa, Florida,

This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Every Second Counts – Plan 2 Ways Out”. In a fire, seconds count. Seconds can mean the difference between residents of our community escaping safely from a fire or having their lives end in tragedy. Learn more about creating a “Home Escape Plan” and many other life-saving tips and experience our Fire Safety House with smoke filled rooms and learn how to escape.

Southern Manatee Fire Rescue District receives federal funding under the (FY) 2016 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant to hire 9 firefighter/EMTs/Paramedics.

On July 28, 2017, the Department of Homeland Security awarded the Southern Manatee Fire Rescue District a SAFER Grant. The awarding of the grant will allow Southern Manatee Fire Rescue District to hire nine (9) new full-time employees (Firefighter/EMT/Paramedic’s – entry level) for our first-out responding fire apparatus. This will allow the District to staff our Hazardous Materials Response vehicle with our currently employed Haz-mat technician firefighters/EMTs/Paramedics. With the SAFER grant, the District will be able to respond its Hazardous Materials Truck to incidents (Fire, EMS and Haz-mat). The addition of the 9 firefighters, 3 Firefighters per shift will increase the effectiveness of the first alarm assignments and other emergencies occurring in the district, out of the district and within our region. Adding an additional apparatus to our response and increasing the amount of personnel on first alarm assignments it will allow our firefighters to enter structure fires in a safer manner and perform lifesaving operations and reduce property damage. This Safer Grant will allow Southern Manatee Fire Rescue District to be in compliance with NFPA 1710.

Please join us for the 16th Annual Southern Manatee Volunteer Firefighter Association Golf Tournament at the beautiful and exclusive Palm Aire Golf and Country Club! To celebrate our 16th year, we are hosting our golf tournament at one of Manatee county’s oldest and most storied golf courses.

As the Suncoast begins to recover from Hurricane Irma, Congressman Vern Buchanan today pointed residents to a number of federal disaster relief programs that can help with the recovery.

"I want to make sure my constituents are aware of the federal resources available to help address any damage Irma left behind," said Buchanan, who monitored the storm from the Manatee County Emergency Operations Center.

The federal disaster declaration issued Sunday for Sarasota, Manatee and Hillsborough Counties unlocked a number of programs to help residents, including grants and loans for home repairs, rental assistance for temporary housing, unemployment payments, loans for small businesses and crisis counseling.

To apply for assistance, individuals and business owners should visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362.

Important Information

Trash and Recycle Updates: No collection for recycling or yard waste. Trash will be picked up on normal days. Monday trash day will be picked up Wednesday.

Water Update: Please limit the usage in areas without power as the sewer may backup. The lift stations are down in those areas and will not work properly until power is restored.

Power Update: Crews are working to restore power throughout Manatee County. The Emergency Website for reporting an outage is currently unavailable and FPL has asked citizens without power to call it in. 1-800-468-8243

Manatee County Public Schools: Schools are closed until Monday September 18th.

Manatee County Government Offices: Will reopen September 13th.

Infrastructure Damage & Flooding: Call Public Works at 941-708-7497

Other Issues: Citizens Information Center at 941-749-3547

Fuel Location: go to //www.gasbuddy.com

For additional information: //www.mymanatee.org

As of yesterday Mandatory Evacuations were in effect for Level A including all mobile home evacuations. Voluntary Evacuations of Level B are in effect today. 22 shelters are open and for locations you can go to //www.mymanatee.org for this information.

On July 26th thru the 28th all Southern Manatee Fire Rescue operations personnel attended a 2 hour In-
Service by Saleh Freedom. This non-profit organization specializes in minor abuse and sex trafficking.

On March 30, 31 and June 29, all personnel from the Southern Manatee Fire Rescue District attending a workshop presented by the Florida Autism Society. The instructor for this class was Teresa Becerra and she provided 2 sessions each day in training our personnel on how to deal and treat autistic patients. Teresa brought her 20 year old son, Robert who is autistic.

On Thursday, July 20, 2017, the Southern Manatee Fire Rescue District presented numerous awards to its personnel during at the beginning of their Commission meeting.

The following personnel received the following awards:

On Thursday, July 20, 2017, the Southern Manatee Fire Rescue District swears in two new Firefighter/EMT’s at the beginning of their monthly Commission meeting. Month’s back the District had some retirements and began the employment process utilizing candidates obtained through the National Testing Network (NTN).

On Thursday, May 18, 2017, the Southern Manatee Fire Rescue District responded to 1401 44th Avenue East at 1200 hours for a report of a structure fire. Upon leaving the Station Battalion 3 advised ECC that he had a large column of thick black smoke and requested a 2nd alarm to dispatch.
Engine 321 arrived 3 minutes later at 1203 hours and reported a fully involved building with fire spreading to a large pile of tires.