CEDAR HAMMOCK FIRE RESCUE ANNOUNCES 2015 EMPLOYEE AWARDS
Fire Chief Jeffrey Hoyle announced the recipients of several awards at Cedar Hammock’s annual employee appreciation dinner held December 4, 2015.
Firefighter Mike Dunn from A-shift took honors as Firefighter of the Year for his efforts in developing “Your Life Matters” program which provides resource assistance to people with chemical dependence. The program has received local, state, and national accolades.
Captain Steve LaPlante was selected as Fire Officer of the Year. Steve led Cedar Hammock’s MDA Boot Drive raising a record $7,082.
Staff Employee of the Year went to Captain Nick Herlihy for his continued excellence in training.
Exceptional Duty Award was presented to Office Administrator Tammy Hager.
Commissioner Steve Litschauer was recognized for his leadership for the past year as Chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners for Cedar Hammock.
Special recognition went out to Inspector Diane Chrzanowski for her 28 years of service to Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue and the Fire Service. Inspector Chrzanowski officially retired on December 9, 2015.
CONGRATULATIONS TO LIEUTENANT BILLY SMITH! HE GRADUATED SUMMA CUM LAUDE FROM ST. PETERSBURG COLLEGE WITH A BACHELORS OF APPLIED SCIENCE IN PUBLIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION.
DIANE CHRZANOWSKI RETIRES WITH 28 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE CEDAR HAMMOCK FIRE RESCUE COMMUNITY
MANATEE COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS RETIREMENT ANNOUNCEMENT
Inspector Diane Chrzanowski also known by her fellow firefighters as “Ski” was brought home by the members of B Shift. Ski was a member of B Shift prior to her assignment in Fire Prevention. Pictured above are: Front Row: Firefighter Justin Rudrud, Ski, Battalion Chief Sam Collier. Back Row: Firefighter Jon Kropp and Captain Billy Whitfield.
SERVICE AWARDS PRESENTED TO THE LIGHT TECHNICAL RESCUE TEAM AT THE NOVEMBER 2015 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING
Chief Jeff Hoyle recognized the following firefighters for their dedicated service on
LIGHT TECHNICAL RESCUE TEAM 644:
Lieutenant Billy Smith – 10 years
Lieutenant Doug Brett – 10 years
Firefighter Ben Anderson – 5 years
Captain Nick Herlihy – 10 years
Firefighter Keith Ferguson – 10 years
Firefighter Paul Reda – 10 years
AWARDS AND PROMOTION ANNOUNCED AT OCTOBER 2015 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING
Chief Jeff Hoyle recognized Firefighter Mike Dunn for receiving the Life Preservation Award from Congressman Vern Buchanan at the Congressional Fire, Rescue and EMS Awards Ceremony held on October 5, 2015.
Chief Hoyle presented a Notable Outstanding Award (NOW) Award to Firefighter Ben Anderson for his “Continued excellence in Water Rescue Training, service to Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue, and the citizens we serve.”
Chief Hoyle also announced the promotion of Administrative Secretary Tammy Hager to Office Administrator.
CEDAR HAMMOCK HOSTS CHILD SAFETY SEAT CHECK
On Saturday September 19th, Cedar Hammock hosted a child seat check up event. This event coincides with an annual event called Seat Check Saturday which is at the end of Child Safety Week. During this event, trained technicians ensured that the participants child seats were properly installed in their vehicle. Each of the participants were taught the safest way to transport their children and also how to properly install the child seat themselves. During this event, Firefighter Paul Reda, Firefighter AJ Dudley and Firefighter Adam Chrisman assisted members of our community with properly installing their child seats. Some participants were able to receive a new child seat for a small donation instead of buying a new one at full price. After this event, 5 children from our community are now traveling safer since they came to the event.
FIRE PREVENTION WEEK 2015
Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue (CHFR) participated in this year’s fire prevention week with a theme of “Hear the Beep Where You Sleep”. CHFR spoke to the third grade classes at Prine Elementary, Bayshore Elementary and Orange Ridge Elementary. The students learned about fire safety in the home and the importance of smoke alarms. CHFR also visited multiple day cares in the district where the children had the opportunity to see the firefighters in their gear and sit in the fire engines.































Congressman Vern Buchanan presents Firefighter Mike Dunn the Congressional Preservation of Life Award
U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan honors Cedar Hammock Firefighter Mike Dunn
Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, honored the winners of the 16th Congressional District Fire and Rescue and Emergency Medical Services Awards on Monday, October 5, 2015.
Buchanan established the awards to recognize fire and rescue and EMS personnel who have provided distinguished service.
“As first responders, fire departments and emergency medical service teams are summoned on short notice to serve their respective communities,” Buchanan said. “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.’ I believe these awards are a fitting tribute to our first responders and a reminder of the important role they play in our communities.”
Among the winners was Mike Dunn, a firefighter with Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue who developed the Your Life Matters card that first responders keep on hand to give to addicts after they recover from an overdose. Heroin overdoses have been particularly prevalent as deaths continue to climb. Dunn has said he had the idea for the cards because he wanted to offer addicts information about where they could get help.
Mike Dunn was presented the Preservation of Life Award.
CEDAR HAMMOCK FIRE RESCUE COLLECTS OVER $7000.00 FOR MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY ASSOCIATION AT THEIR 2015 BOOT DRIVE .

Front Row: Honorary Firefighter Dillon Friddle
Back Row L-R: mother of Dillon Friddle, Chelsea Rollinger Fundraising Coordinator with Muscular Dystrophy Assocation, Captain Steve LaPlante, Erika LaPlante, and Chief Jeff Hoyle
Chelsea Rollinger, Fundraising Coordinator with Muscular Dystrophy Assocation says the MDA Boot Drive is the largest source of income for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Firefighters have raised over 558 million dollars in the 61 years of the Boot Drive. Captain Steve LaPlante coordinated the Boot Drive this year and was proud to present a check for the amount raised totaling $7,082.77 to MDA. Chief Hoyle presented Captain LaPlante with a NOW Award for his dedication and management of the 2015 MDA Boot Drive. Captain LaPlante thanked all the firefighters for their help and dedication at this years boot drive.
CONGRATULATIONS FIREFIGHTER KEITH FERGUSON! HE RECEIVED THE GOLD MEDAL IN CYCLING AT THE 2015 FLORIDA FIRST RESPONDER GAMES.

Firefighter Keith Ferguson wins the Gold Medal in Cycling at the Florida First Responder Games held in September
CEDAR HAMMOCK FIREFIGHTERS HONORED ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2015 AT A FIRST RESPONDER LUNCHEON HOSTED BY THE RESIDENTS AND STAFF AT THE WINDSOR OF BRADENTON

Pictured with the residents and staff at The Windsor of Bradenton are:
Back row L-R: Battalion Chief Gene Brown, Firefighter Justin Jackson, Lt. Ryan French, Firefighter James Taylor, Capt. Steve LaPlante, Firefighter Nate Axness
Front Row: Firefighter Erik Lindberg
CEDAR HAMMOCK FIRE RESCUE VICTORIOUS AT
THE WAWA HOAGIE BUILDING COMPETITION
Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue participated in the Hoagies For Heroes competition at the Wawa’s Grand Opening on August 20, 2015, located at 5306 14th Street West. Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Department were challenged to see who could build the most hoagies in three minutes in the traditional “Wawa way”. Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue was the big winner and received bragging rights and a trophy, however both teams received a check from Wawa toward the charity of their choice. Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue chose the Manatee Substance Abuse Coalition and a check for $1000 will be awarded to them for CHFR’s win.

With the Winning Trophy is our CHFR Hoagie Building Team and their Coach:
Front Row: Lt. Doug Brett, Captain Joe Falcone, Firefighter Brett Gomez, Battalion Chief Mark Bandstra.
Back Row: Firefighter Ben Anderson, Firefighter Mike Dunn, and Firefighter Eddie Anderson





























BACK TO SCHOOL 2015
Church of the Cross sponsored a Back To School Backpack Drive for Bayshore Elementary students, and Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue employees were excited to help with donations to purchase backpacks and school supplies. These donations help many students in need with the tools they need to succeed.

Helping with the Backpack/School Supply Giveaway at Bayshore Elementary were L-R: Firefighter Wade Hudson, Firefighter Ben Anderson, Firefighter Randall Fowler, and Captain Joe Falcone
Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue also had their Engines out at Prine Elementary, Orange Ridge Elementary and Bayshore Elementary on the first day of school to remind everyone to slow down and be aware school is back in session

L-R: Firefighter Austin Roehl, Lt. Brett Pritchard, Lt. Ryan French, Firefighter John Eibe, Firefighter Justin Rudrud, and Captain Billy Whitfield
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING – AUGUST 13, 2015
Firefighter Nate Axness was recognized for achieving the rank of 2nd Class Firefighter.
A BIG thank you to Hope Lutheran Church in providing dinner once a month to the firefighters. Certificates of Appreciation were presented to Anola Krueske, Phyllis Ferry, and Diane Burnett who use their talents to prepare these delicious meals. Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue thanks Hope Lutheran Church and these wonderful ladies for their kindness!
Captain Jonathan “Ed” Shumaker was honored for his 31 years of dedicated service to Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue. Captain Shumaker retired on June 30, 2015.
Pictured (L to R) alongside the fire engine Cedar Hammock donated to Manatee Technical College are MTC fire science lead instructor Steve Trompke, Fire Science Coordinator Henry Sheffield, Cedar Hammock Fire Division Chiefs Alex Lobeto and Mike DeChelbor, Charlie Kennedy, Bob Gause, Dr. Diana Greene, Karen Carpenter, David Miner, Cedar Hammock Fire Chief Jeff Hoyle, and Cedar Hammock Fire Commissioner Tom Flynn.
Cedar Hammock and North River Fire donate equipment to MTC
(Bradenton, FL—July 29, 2015) Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue donated a fire engine and North River Fire District donated a computer-operated driving simulator to the Manatee School District at the July 28 board meeting for use by Manatee Technical College.
Doug Wagner, Director of Adult Career and Technical Education and Manatee Technical College, and Henry Sheffield, Coordinator of MTC’s Fire Science programs, recognized Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue and North River Fire District during the meeting. “They were very generous donations,” said Wagner. “It is industry support like this that makes MTC so great.”
Cedar Hammock’s board voted to donate the 1995 Pierce Sabre Fire Engine to the school after they bought two new ones. The computerized Pierce engine replaces a 1976 Mack fire engine at MTC.
North River donated a computer-operated driving simulator that simulates driving fire trucks, ambulances and buses. MTC will use the simulator in both its Fire Science and Emergency Medical programs. The School District plans to use the simulator for bus driver training.
“We are going to be able to train our fire fighters and emergency drivers with state-of-the-art equipment,” said Sheffield, referring to both the engine and the simulator. “We will be able to train in a non-risk environment on that simulator.”
CONGRATULATIONS TO THESE OUTSTANDING FIREFIGHTERS
ARON KALOOSTIAN AND GARRETT LINDGREN WERE PROMOTED TO SECOND CLASS FIREFIGHTER AT OUR JULY 2015 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING.
CONGRATULATIONS TO CAPTAIN ED SHUMAKER ON HIS RETIREMENT AFTER
SERVING THE CEDAR HAMMOCK FIRE RESCUE COMMUNITY FOR 31 YEARS!
MANATEE COUNTY ECC RETIREMENT ANNOUNCEMENT ( Double click on the left side of the bar to play this announcement)
BUSY MONTH FOR CEDAR HAMMOCK FIRE RESCUE
On June 11, 2015, Cedar Hammock Fire Chief Jeffrey S. Hoyle brought on two new firefighters, Erik Lindberg and Wade Hudson at the June Board of Fire Commission meeting. Firefighter Zeke Eckersen was also honored at the meeting for his 27 years of service with Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue. Zeke retired May 15, 2015.
Chief Hoyle presented Division Chief Mike DeChelbor with an award for his planning and leadership in the purchase of two new Pierce Impel Engines which were placed in service that evening. Pastor Stan Pavkovich lead prayers before the two rigs were christened by an exchange of tank water from the replacement engines and both rigs were “pushed” into their bays as tradition warranted.
Other awards presented that evening were for the Engine Specification Committee comprised of Captain Steve LaPlante, Lieutenants Ryan French and Matt Jones, and Firefighters James Taylor and Bobby Wadsworth.
Chief Hoyle also promoted Lieutenant Joe Falcone to Captain and Firefight Ryan French to Lieutenant.
Photos by Tammy Hager

(L-R) Capt. Steve LaPlante, Lt. Ryan French, FF James Taylor, FF Bobby Wadsworth with Division Chief Mike DeChelbor
2015 Brotherhood Ride honoring 10 fallen first responders in Florida
By: Krystel Knowles
Posted: 6:53 PM, Jun 7, 2015
http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-sarasota-manatee/bradenton/2015-brotherhood-ride-honoring-10-fallen-first-responders-in-florida-brothe
The ride will stretch across the state starting in Naples on June 6th and ending in Tallahassee on June 13th. The non-profit Brotherhood organization consists of firefighters, police officers and EMS personnel.
Around 30 cyclist from The Brotherhood Ride 2015 are traveling 650 miles making overnight stops in North Port, Tarpon Springs, Brooksville, Orlando, Palm Coast, Jacksonville, Live Oak and Tallahassee. These cyclist ride an average of 80 to 100 miles a day, even through tough weather conditions like extreme heat, rain, lightning and high winds.
Lt. Jeff Morse founded The Brotherhood seven years ago, as a way to remember his brothers and sisters who lost their life in the line of duty and to help their families deal with their loss. So far, they’ve donated $248,000 to the families left behind.
“We are here for one reason and one reason only, to honor the people we’ve lost,” said Lt. Morse.
Every year, the procession on cyclist route is changed depending on the Fallen Heroes city and state. Past Brotherhood Rides include Charleston, SC in 2008; Florida in 2009; Houston, TX in 2010; New York City in 2011; Florida in 2012; Tennessee in 2013 and both Florida and Texas in 2014.
Lt. Morse says he’s grateful to ride next to so many inspirational people.
“We couldn’t do this without our fellow firefighters and police officers in the streets keeping us safe as we go down the road,” explains Lt. Morse. “And it’s great to see them alongside of us.”
To help support The Brotherhood go to www.brotherhoodride.com
CONGRATULATIONS TO ZEKE ECKERSEN ON HIS RETIREMENT AFTER
SERVING THE CEDAR HAMMOCK FIRE RESCUE COMMUNITY FOR 27 YEARS!
MANATEE COUNTY ECC RETIREMENT ANNOUNCEMENT (Click on the left side of the bar to play this announcement)
I would like to send out a BIG ” Thank You “ to everyone about my Retirement. You don’t know how much it means to me , every hand shake, and every hug, I will forever cherish! WOW…. 27 years! When they say time flies, that is an under statement, but I know that I will always have my Cedar Hammock family and I will always be around. It’s hard to walk away but I’m leaving nothing on the table, I’ve accomplished so many things with C.H.F.R. and very proud of my career. In closing , my Brothers and Sisters , please be safe and have NO regrets !!!
With the Best regards, and feeling blessed…
Zeke Eckersen
2015 FLORIDA FIREFIGHTER GAMES
Congratulations to Lt. Mike Soper, Lt. Matt Rose, Firefighter Keith Ferguson, and Firefighter Chad Eibner for representing Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue at the 2015 Florida Firefighter Games mountain bike race!
The event was held at Alafia State Park which has one of the nation’s best mountain bike venues. https://www.imba.com/epics/alafia-river-epic
Team CHFR took second place in the single department relay and 4th overall. 12 other departments participated in this event from across the state. As this was Lt. Soper, Lt. Rose, and Firefighter Eibner’s first race, the event and placing second added to the accomplishment.
Congratulations to mountain bike veteran Firefighter Ferguson who received a bronze (third) medal in the individual over 40 event!
Commission Meeting April 9, 2015 – Special Presentations/Promotion
Special Recognition to Winn Dixie for their support at our Open House on March 7, 2015.
Pictured: Fire Marshal Eric Center, Laura Sturdivant and Butch Demont from Winn Dixie, Fire Chief Jeff Hoyle
Special Appreciation to Church on the Cross for their support with our Open House on March 7, 2015.
Pictured: Fire Marshal Eric Center, Pastor Stan Pavkovich, and Fire Chief Jeff Hoyle.
Congratulations to Randall Fowler on his promotion to Second Class Firefighter.
Pictured; Battalion Chief Mark Bandstra, Firefighter Randall Fowler, and Fire Chief Jeff Hoyle
CONGRATULATIONS TO BRANT GOMEZ WHO WAS PROMOTED IN MARCH TO SECOND CLASS FIREFIGHTER
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CEDAR HAMMOCK FIRE RESCUE MEMBERS FROM LIGHT TECHNICAL RESCUE TEAM #644 RECEIVE CITATION MEDALS.
On June 27, 2014, North River Fire District responded to a call during a severe weather event of a tree collapsed on a structure with one patient trapped. Technical Rescue Response teams were requested to assist. 5 members of Manatee County’s Light Technical Rescue Team #644 (members include Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue, West Manatee Fire Rescue and Southern Manatee Fire Rescue) and 3 members of the City of Bradenton’s Light Technical Rescue Team #419 responded.
A tunnel was made into the structure and the patient was found in the center with heavy debris around their head and neck. It took crews 46 minutes to remove debris, stabilize the structure, and safely remove the patient. The patient was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. There were no injuries to rescue personnel.
The Manatee County Fire Chief’s Association awarded Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue Captain Nick Herlihy, Lieutenant Doug Brett and Firefighter Ben Anderson with a Unit Citation Medal for their part in this life saving rescue as members of the Manatee County Light Technical Rescue Team #644.
Receiving Citation Awards: (L to R) Captain Nick Herlihy, Lieutenant Doug Brett, and Firefighter Ben Anderson. Also pictured: Chief Jeff Hoyle.
CEDAR HAMMOCK FIRE RESCUE 2015 OPEN HOUSE
The Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue 2015 Open House took place on Saturday March 7 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Citizens came out to learn about fire safety, better understand the many different services the department offers to the community, and to see some of the day to day operations and equipment used to keep the citizens in our community safe. The events during the open house included a live fire demonstration, fire sprinkler presentation, Bayflight Trauma Helicopter, vehicle extrication, inflatable fire safety bounce house, junior firefighter combat challenge, bicycle rodeo, and included many other community participants.