On September 25th, 2015 the Southern Manatee Fire & Rescue District received notification that its application for the Preferred Training Incentive Program for Safety (TIPS) grant had been accepted by the review committee, and an award for the maximum amount would be granted. The Preferred TIPS program is a reimbursement program with matching training/safety incentives of up to $5,000. This was awarded due to the recent acquisition of new protective equipment for the crews, new hazmat monitoring equipment, and specialized training for increased responder safety. In the above photo taken on October 7th, 2015 Fire Chief Brian Gorski and Captain Mark Crawford are seen holding the awarded check in the amount of $5,000
