[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 122 (Thursday, July 31, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1292]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       16TH DISTRICT CONGRESSIONAL FIRE AND RESCUE AND EMS AWARDS

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. VERN BUCHANAN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 31, 2014

  Mr. BUCHANAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize fire and rescue 
and EMS personnel who have provided distinguished service to the people 
of Florida's 16th Congressional District.
  As first responders, fire departments and emergency medical service 
teams are summoned on short notice to serve their respective 
communities. Oftentimes, they arrive at scenes of great adversity and 
trauma, to which they reliably bring strength and composure. These 
brave men and women spend hundreds of hours in training so that they 
are prepared when they get ``the call.''
  Two years ago, I established the 16th District Congressional Fire and 
Rescue and EMS Awards to honor officers, departments, and units for 
outstanding achievement.
  On behalf of the people of Florida's 16th District, it is my 
privilege to congratulate the following winners, who were selected this 
year by an independent committee comprised of a cross section of 
current and retired fire and rescue personnel living in the district.
  Dr. Steven R. Newman, a Fellow of the American College of Emergency 
Physicians and Medical Director for Sarasota County Emergency Medical 
Services, was chosen to receive the Career Service Award.
  Manatee County EMS Lt. Mark Jones, Charge Paramedic Angie Hadlock, 
and Paramedic Renee Bergschneider; East Manatee Fire Rescue Battalion 
Chief Stacy Bailey, Lt. Sean Battick, Lt. Chad Gamble, and Firefighters 
Stephen Beecher, Steven Rickman, Doug Sprigg, and Andrew Stark; and 
Bayflight 2 Flight Nurse Kelly Long, Paramedic Mike Bull, and Pilot Joe 
Mattina were chosen to receive the Unit Citation award.
  Firefighter/Paramedic Larry Gibbs of the Sarasota County Fire 
Department was chosen to receive the Dedication and Professionalism 
award.

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