Fire Department New Hires

 (L-R) Anthony Iorio, Timothy Killian, Russ Henderson, and Andrew Lusher.

Russ Henderson was raised in Bushnell and worked in residential construction before becoming a firefighter/EMT.  He holds a bachelor’s degree in business and is married with two kids and one due in July. He is assigned to B-Shift

Anthony Iorio is from Long Island, New York and holds an associate’s degree in aircraft maintenance.  He was in the US Coast Guard and Air Force Reserve prior to becoming a Firefighter/EMT. He is assigned to A-Shift.

Timothy Killian was raised in Pinellas Park and earned his firefighter and EMT certifications from St. Petersburg College.  He worked in the insurance business for 14 years and is married with two boys. He is assigned to C-Shift.

Andrew Lusher is from Clearwater and holds a bachelor’s degree from Florida State University.  He worked at Sunstar for 6 years as a paramedic, field-training officer, and member of the SWAT team.  Andrew received a commendation from Palms of Pasadena Hospital for a life saved.  He is assigned to B-Shift.

Pinellas Park Fire Department Employee Recognition Awards

Employee of the Year:  Firefighter/EMT Keith Ellis 

Keith is the Chairperson of the Firefighters Benevolent Committee and has been with Pinellas Park since 2000.  In addition to other charitable events, Keith coordinates the Thanksgiving Food Drive, Christmas Toy Drive, and Santa's annual visit to the students at Nina Harris School.  In 2010, the firefighters collected  boxes of toys from donation  sites city-wide that went to over 150 children in Pinellas Park.  Keith is a natural leader and volunteers much of his off-duty time for the betterment of the  Fire Department and the City of Pinellas Park.   

Firefighter of the Year:  Firefighter/EMT William Weaver 

William was nominated for his quick action during incidents, which resulted in lives and property saved.   During a routine medical call at an apartment complex, he immediately recognized the presence of dangerous carbon monoxide gas.  William used the fire alarm system to evacuate all occupants from the multi-story building in a quick and orderly fashion.    At a recent fire scene, William entered a smoke filled warehouse to retrieve a specialized extinguisher needed to put out a metals fire.  His quick action was crucial in preventing the fire from escalating.

Paramedic of the Year:  Firefighter/Paramedic Ryan Mitchell 

Ryan is known for his compassion with patients, treating  each one with dignity and respect.  Recently, Ryan and his crew responded to a report of a child found unresponsive in a swimming pool.  They worked quickly, calmly, and professionally to revive the child.  After a brief hospital stay, the child made a full recovery.  Last year, Ryan helped organize disaster relief response to Haiti following the deadly earthquake.   He and his group brought in relief supplies and took care of the injured in a makeshift emergency field hospital.   Each year, Pinellas County HCA Hospital representatives present awards to outstanding medics who demonstrate exceptional clinical practice, compassionate care, and customer service to the citizens of Pinellas County.  

 EMS All-Stars

The 2010 EMS All-Star awards went to three Pinellas Park Paramedics for their life-saving contributions. Congratulations to Joel Priebe, Rob Day, and Chris Connelly.

(L-R)  Stephen Daugherty, CEO-Northside Hospital, FF/PM Joel Priebe, FF/PM Rob Day, and FF/PM Chris Connelly, and Jo Anne, RN-St. Petersburg Hospital.

FF/PM Tim Brooke

Florida State Preceptor of the Year for 2010

Tim has  worked  with St. Petersburg College students in the paramedic program for the past 10 years. His role is to guide, monitor and evaluate the student's performance during their field internship and assist them in their transition from the classroom to entry level paramedic .

Deputy Chief Completes Executive Fire Officer Program

Pinellas Park Deputy Fire Chief Ray Hansen has completed the Executive Fire Officer Program (EFOP) through the U.S. Fire Administration's National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Md. Hansen began the program in 2006 and graduated in April, 2010.

    "The Executive Fire Officer Program is reputed to enhance a fire service leader's ability to lead today's fire service," said Hansen. "The program is viewed as the best of the best."
The officers enhance their professional development through a unique series of four graduate and upper-division-baccalaureate equivalent courses. The EFOP spans a 4-year period with four core courses. Each course is two weeks in length.
The courses, in succession, are Executive Development, Leading Community Risk Reduction, Executive Analysis of Fire Service Operations in Emergency Management and Executive Leadership.

((L) Dr. Denis O'Nieal, Superintendent, National Fire Academy
(R) Deputy Chief Ray Hansen, Pinellas Park Fire Department

 "The first and last courses are designed as an introspective look at fire service leadership principles and the second and third courses are designed to look at specific aspects of fire department service delivery," said Hansen. 
EFOP participants must complete an Applied Research Project (ARP) that relates to their organization within 6 months after the completion of each of the four courses.  "My first paper was by far the most challenging," said Hansen.  "There is no specific number of pages required, but most of your grade is based on depth of research into a particular problem.  Eighty pages is the average length of most papers," he said.    Each research project is graded and evaluated in ten categories and must receive a minimum of 2.0 to progress to the next course.  
    Chief Hansen said he enrolled in the program because he felt the need to improve his leadership skills.  "Professionally, I feel I have gained a way to apply analytical thinking towards today's problems and visionary thinking towards tomorrow's problems," he said. "Personally, I gained a terrific sense of accomplishment."  Chief Hansen urges anyone wishing to enhance his or her leadership skills to look into this program.  "I would consider it an honor to be able to encourage other members of our department to explore the value of the EFO program," he said.  In its 25th year, the program has nearly 3,000 alumni nationwide.