Recently, the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association (CFHLA) hosted its annual Patriot Day Breakfast. The annual event pays tribute and remembrance to our heroes and gives local awards to first responders. This year, a Life Saving Award in the category of Fire Rescue/EMS went to the Seminole County Fire Department and Firefighter/Paramedic Chris Schinner and Firefighter/Paramedic Thomas Blum for a life saving call (Rescue 35). Schinner and Blum were trained in hazardous materials paramedicine (HazMedics) and that fact was essential in this lifesaving call. CFHLA honored many fire, law and hospitality workers from various agencies, including the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Orange County Fire Rescue Department and City of Orlando Fire Department.

Firefighter/Paramedic Chris Schinner resides in Sanford and attended Daytona State for Fire School. Firefighter/Paramedic Thomas Blum resides in Orange City and attended Fire School at Palm Beach State College.