Sanford, Fla. (February 8, 2024) – The Seminole County Fire Department (SCFD) recently held its Annual Awards Ceremony at Action Church in Winter Park. The event was emceed by WOFL FOX 35’s Danielle Knox and was attended by nearly 100 personnel. More than a dozen awards were given to those who had gone above and beyond for the Department over the last year.

“During our Annual Awards Ceremony, we are proud to recognize personnel who embody the high standards we aim to achieve every day in serving our citizens,” said Seminole County Fire Chief Matt Kinley. "Without our outstanding 574 personnel at SCFD, a fire station is just a building, an apparatus is just a vehicle, and our Dispatch Center is just a room. I am proud that the Seminole County Fire Department continues to set the example nationwide in our selflessness through duty, consistency of service, fairness and equity, and dedication to our community.”

Award winners:

·      Chief Officer of the Year – Christopher B. Baker

·      Lieutenant of the Year – John R. Bennett 

·      Engineer of the Year – Kyle Hanna

·      Paramedic of the Year –Thomas J. Blum 

·      Firefighter of the Year – Samuel J. Roberts

·      Fire Department Employee of the Year – Meredith Walker

·      Fire Prevention Employee of the Year – Brenda Y. Paz

·      Emergency Communications Employee of the Year – Patricia M. Garrett

·      Rookie Firefighter of the Year – Ben Stadler

Special Recognition Awards:

SCFD’s Community Paramedicine Program

·      Firefighter/Paramedic Jason P. Rappa

·      Firefighter/Paramedic Elaine M. Curry

·      Lieutenant Curtis Halcom

Community Service Award:

·      Firefighter Chris Martin and his wife Christina Martin through their partnership with drowning prevention initiatives with the Gunner Martin Foundation. 

Partnership Award:

“Get Informed About Uniforms” Recruitment Program

·      Captain Ronald Shaw, Jr., Seminole County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO)

·      Sergeant First Class Gregory Henry, U.S. Military & SCSO

·      Sean Kurth, College & Career Specialist, Seminole County Public Schools

In addition, Retired SCFD Lieutenant Terry Myers and his wife Rhonda were honored with a Citizen Award for using their personal boat to assist the Seminole County Fire Department in saving a motorcyclist who crashed his vehicle off the 417 bridge into Lake Jesup.