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East Manatee Fire Rescue

Annual Awards and Recognition

Posted: April 21, 2026

The East Manatee Fire Rescue District held their Annual Awards and Recognition Program Monday night during the meeting of the Board of Fire Commissioners.

Top Awards:

  • Rookie of the Year awarded to John Reynolds.
  • Firefighter of the Year awarded to Jacob Dillard.
  • Fire Officer of the Year awarded to Stephen Beecher.
  • Chief Officer of the Year awarded to Lee Whitehurst.
2025 Rookie of the Year John Reynolds.
2025 Rookie of the Year John Reynolds.
2025 Firefighter of the Year Jacob Dillard.
2025 Firefighter of the Year Jacob Dillard.
Fire Officer of the Year Stephen Beecher.
Fire Officer of the Year Stephen Beecher.
Chief Officer of the Year Lee Whitehurst.
Chief Officer of the Year Lee Whitehurst.

Length of Service Awards:

  • 5 years of county service to FF Borawski, FF Burhenne, FF Burnside, FF Fregonese, FF Gingras, FF Martin, FF Rivera, FF Turner, and Engineer McGlade.
  • 10 years of county service to FF Saxman, Lieutenant Guard, and Lieutenant Dunkum.
  • 15 years of county service to FF Mike Johnson, FF Libby, Lieutenant Krajacic, Lieutenant Ryckman, and Fire Prevention Assistant Dixon.
  • 20 years of county service to FF Smith, FF Manning, FF Hoeksema, Lieutenant Battick, Lieutenant Chappell, Lieutenant Darby, Lieutenant Day, Lieutenant DePatie, Lieutenant McDaniel, Logistics Officer Rhodes, Training Officer Taylor, Battalion Chief Baker, Battalion Chief Galbraith, and Battalion Chief Lambert.
  • 30 years of county service to Lieutenant Duffy.
Firefighter Turner, Firefighter Martin, and Firefighter Gingras receive their 5 Years of Service Award.
Firefighter Turner, Firefighter Martin, and Firefighter Gingras receive their 5 Years of Service Award.
Lieutenant Day, Battalion Chief Galbraith, Battalion Chief Lambert, Firefighter Smith, and Training Officer Taylor receive their 20 Years of Service Award.
Lieutenant Day, Battalion Chief Galbraith, Battalion Chief Lambert, Firefighter Smith, and Training Officer Taylor receive their 20 Years of Service Award.
Fire Prevention Assistant Dixon receives her 15 Years of Service Award.
Fire Prevention Assistant Dixon receives her 15 Years of Service Award.
Lieutenant Duffy receives his 30 Years of Service Award.
Lieutenant Duffy receives his 30 Years of Service Award.

Certificates of Appreciation:

(A shift)    Lieutenant Dunkum          Engineer Armstrong

(B shift)    Engineer Reale           Firefighter Ryan Berggren

(C shift)    Lieutenant Nate Smith      Firefighter Kish

Shift Recognition Award presented to Engineer Armstrong.
Shift Recognition Award presented to Engineer Armstrong.
Shift Recognition Award presented to Engineer Reale.
Shift Recognition Award presented to Engineer Reale.
Shift Recognition Award presented to Lieutenant Smith.
Shift Recognition Award presented to Lieutenant Smith.
Shift Recognition Award presented to Firefighter Kish.
Shift Recognition Award presented to Firefighter Kish.