Southern Manatee Firefighters Compete In Annual Fight For Air Stair Climb

On March 10th Danny Burton, Chuck Moonen and Adam Perry participated in the Annual Fight for Air Stair Climb. This event benefits the American Lung Association and raised almost $160,000. They climbed in full gear for 42 floors in the Tampa Bank of America Building. While progressing up the stairs, they quickly realize what it is like to experience breathing problems! Chuck Moonen won with the fastest time in his age group and finished 6th overall! Awesome job guys!

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SMFR Firefighters compete In Savage Race

On March 17th, Chad D’Agostino, Todd Pierce, Chris Snider, Jordan Velazquez, Brittan Williams, Brent Ranney, Brian Hodges, Dan Reisdorf, Dave Sedgley, Sully Sedgley and Adam Perry participated in the Savage Race. This was held in Dade City. It was approximately 7 miles of running with 30 obstacles scattered throughout. The obstacles include a pool of ice that had to be swam through, “Colossus” a 1/4 pipe that goes up to stairs where there is a 43′ slide and “Sawtooth” a 35′ up and down monkey bars over water. Many obstacles were sure to test their physical and mental capabilities. The guys came together as a team and helped each other through the event. Nobody was left behind. All that participated finished with a respectful time. Great job by all!

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SMFR Demonstrates The Use Of Drones In HazMat Response

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

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Southern Manatee Fire Rescue District Honors Lisa Kalmbach for her many years in providing Critical Incident Stress Debriefing to the Emergency Services Personnel of Manatee County

On February 15, 2018 at the SMFR Commissioner meeting, Lisa Kalmbach, employee of the Emergency Communication Center of Manatee County, was recognized and honored with an appreciation plaque for her many years of service in providing CISD services to all Fire, EMS and Law enforcement personnel in Manatee County.

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Eight (8) Year Old to be Recognize by Southern Manatee Fire Rescue District for her Quick Action in Calling 9-1-1 for her Grandmother

On Thursday, February 15, 2018, shortly after 5:00 PM the Fire Commissioners of the Southern Manatee Fire Rescue District will be honoring an 8 year old girl for saving the life of her grandmother by calling 9-1-1 and providing them with her grandmother’s address and medical information about the emergency. This recognition will be held at 2451 Trailmate Drive, Sarasota, Florida 34243 in the Commission Chambers.

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SMFR Drone Used In Mapping Fuel Spill At Palmetto Marina

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.

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Southern Manatee Fire Rescue Holds 2nd Annual Awards Banquet

On Saturday, December 16, 2017 at 1100 hours, the Southern Manatee Fire Rescue District held their annual Awards Ceremony/Banquet. The food was provided by Sonny’s BBQ and once again it was free to us because of FF/EMT Chuck Moonen Haz-mat Chili winning again 1st Place and People Choice Awards for the 2017 Chili Cook-off – Thank you again FF/EMT Chuck Moonen. Southern Manatee Fire Rescue has won “People’s Choice” three (3) years in a row.

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Southern Manatee Fire Rescue District Wins “People’s Choice” Award and “1st Place Award” in the 18th Annual Morton’s Market Firehouse Chili Cook-off

On Sunday, October 8, 2017 the Southern Manatee Fire Rescue District competed in the 18th Annual Morton’s Firehouse Chili Cook-off and once again won the “People’s Choice” Award and “1st Place Award”. Firefighter/EMT Chuck Moonen famous “Haz-mat Chili” recipe once again was a BIG hit at Morton’s Market Firehouse Chili Cook-off not only with the judges but also with thousands of citizens that attended 4 hour event.

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Southern Manatee Fire Rescue District Reminds Residents: “Every Second Counts – Plan 2 Ways Out”

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.

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SMFR Receives Federal Funding

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.

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Grants for Home Repairs, Rental Assistance, Loans for Small Businesses

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.

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A Message to the Community – After Hurricane Irma

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 http://www.gasbuddy.com

For additional information: http://www.mymanatee.org

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