TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – In a ceremony at the Senate Chamber in the Florida Capitol today, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis recognized members of Florida’s firefighting community for their outstanding accomplishments in the fire service industry during the 2021 Fire Service Awards. Each individual or facility was nominated and selected by various fire service organizations across Florida.

CFO and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis said, “Florida’s first responders are the backbone of our state and I was honored today to recognize outstanding members of Florida’s incredible fire service community who work around the clock to protect Floridians. Throughout the pandemic, an active hurricane season, and the tragic condo collapse in Surfside, these dedicated men and women run towards unbelievable danger at a moment’s notice to save lives. But it’s not just the firefighters that keep us safe, it’s the educators, inspectors, investigators, instructors, volunteers, and training centers that ensure we are protected – day in and day out. I cannot thank these fire service professionals enough for their outstanding service and sacrifices on behalf of their communities and our great state.”

• David Sechrist - Forestry Firefighter of the Year - Penny Farms, Clay County

• Douglas Riley - Fire Chief of the Year - Lakeland Fire Department

• Gary Diamond - Career Firefighter of the Year (Posthumous) - Escambia County Fire Rescue

• Christina Diaz - Fire Marshal of the Year - Seminole County Fire Department

• Brett Dunckel - Fire Inspector of the Year - Broward Sheriff’s Office Department of Fire and Rescue

• Brian Torres - Fire Service Instructor of the Year - North Collier Fire Control and Rescue District

• Pamela Summers - Fire Investigator of the Year - Palm Beach County Fire Rescue

• Joshua Florence - Volunteer Firefighter of the Year - Melrose Volunteer Fire Department

• Charbel Khadij - Fire and Life Safety Public Educator of the Year - Palm Beach County Fire Rescue

• Hillsborough Community College Fire Academy - Florida Training Center of the Year

• All Florida Emergency Management Professionals - Chad Reed Emergency Management Professional of the Year

• Omar Blanco - Professional Firefighter of the Year - Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department