[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 147 (Tuesday, September 12, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E832]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    FLORIDA'S 16TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT FIRE AND RESCUE EMS AWARDS

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                           HON. VERN BUCHANAN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 12, 2023

  Mr. BUCHANAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize fire, rescue and 
EMS personnel who have provided distinguished service to the people of 
Florida's 16th Congressional District.
  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.''
  Eleven years ago, I established the 16th District Congressional Fire 
and Rescue and EMS Awards to honor our first responders 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.
  Above and Beyond the Call of Duty Award: Charge Paramedic Jacqueline 
Wright of Manatee County EMS. Lieutenant Derek Foss of Southern Manatee 
Fire Rescue. Support Specialist Christopher Underwood and Support 
Specialist Adam Green of Manatee County Search and Rescue.
  Dedication & Professionalism Award: Fire Marshall Rodney Kwiatkowski 
of West Manatee Fire Department. Captain Norman Brown of the 
Hillsborough County Fire Department. Assistant Chief Sean Dwyer of 
Manatee County EMS. Lieutenant Lionel Harrison of the City of Bradenton 
Fire Department.
  Career Service Award: Battalion Chief David Foxall of the City of 
Bradenton Fire Department. Chaplin James Martin and Fire Commissioner 
Ed Stevens of the Parrish Fire District.
  Preservation of Life Award: Chief Jared Leggett, Deputy Chief John 
Elwood, Captain Sheena Leggett, Captain Chris Krier, Captain Hollister 
Robinson, Captain Nicholas Reis, Sergeant Elizabeth Alvarez, Captain 
Joey Spinks, Corporal Harry White, Rescue Technician Matt Snell, Rescue 
Technician Nik Martinez, Rescue Technician Ebson Parrish, Rescue 
Technician Terry Olsen, Rescue Technician Rachel Swim, Rescue 
Technician Joseph Hoffman, Rescue Technician Ben Watts, Rescue 
Technician Chiara Simeoni, Rescue Technician Evan Gibbs, Rescue 
Technician Christopher Rodriguez, Rescue Technician A.J. Kwiatkowski, 
Civilian Pilot Garrett Mitchell, K9 Kaido, K9 Taz, K9 Alpha and K9 
Karma of Manatee County Search and Rescue.
  Unit Citation Award: District Chief Zach Molnar, Charge Paramedic 
Brandon Craig, EMT Anthony Tino, Charge Paramedic Jill Kinghorn of 
Manatee County EMS. Firefighter Aaron Wright, Firefighter/Engineer 
Brandon Beals of the City of Bradenton Fire Department. Officer Jason 
Rhind of the Bradenton Police Department. Engineer Daniel Lane, 
Firefighter Michael Kish, Firefighter Ben Guth, Lieutenant Chad Gamble, 
Firefighter Jordan Rogers, Firefighter Brian Perdue, Lieutenant Eric 
Hoying, Firefighter Kyle Powers, Firefighter Bret Kanapux, and 
Battalion Chief Kyle Taylor of East Manatee Fire Rescue. Medical 
Director David Nonell, Assistant Chief Sean Dwyer, District Chief 
Bradley Hughes, Registered Nurse Brie Spuck, Advanced Practice 
Registered Nurse Shannon Shanks, Social Worker Sonia Shuhart, Outreach 
Case Manager Angie Sciarrone, Community Health Worker Meghan Carr, 
Community Paramedic Aaron Fullenwider, Community Paramedic Ashley 
Robinson and Resource Coordinator Vanessa MargrafBrenn of Manatee 
County EMS.

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