On July 19, 2018 the Southern Manatee Fire Rescue Fire District at their Commission meeting held their awards ceremony. The District awarded the following personnel with the Phoenix Award for resuscitating five (5) cardiac arrest patients during the month of May 2018; Lieutenant Dan Anderson, Firefighter/EMT Keusch, Firefighter/EMT Baserva; Lieutenant Tony Hauck, Firefighter/EMT Mike Murphy, Firefighter/EMT Velazquez, Firefighter/EMT Dunois; Lieutenant Foss, Firefighter/Paramedic Young, Firefighter/EMT Sedgley, Firefighter/EMT Kenniff, Firefighter/EMT Burghdurf.

The Manatee County Fire Chiefs’ Association awarded two Firefighting Academic Scholarships to area high school graduates during their June 28th meeting at City of Bradenton Fire Station #1

On June 21, 2018 the Southern Manatee Fire Rescue Fire Commissioners recognized Mr. Michael Damato for his generous donation of $5000.00 which was used to outfit all first out fire apparatus with the Handtevy Emergency Pediatric equipment.

On June 13, 2018 Commissioner Melanie Marken was awarded her Certified District Official (CDO) by the Florida Association of Special Districts (FASD) at their annual meeting in Orlando. Combined with a demanding job as a paralegal for Sarasota County and her commitment as Commissioner to Southern Manatee Fire Rescue (SMFR), Melanie has dedicated three years of time and effort into obtaining this well respected certification.

The Southern Manatee Fire Rescue District receives a check for $5000.00 for two (2) Safety grants that were submitted to the TIPS program. Captain Robert Thayer submitted two (2) grant applications for two (2) Safety equipment enhancements that the District implemented back in October 2017 for the purpose of reducing injures that could occur at the scene of a motor vehicle accident and structure fire.