Effective public safety does not begin when an emergency occurs; it begins long before, through planning, prevention, leadership and accountability.
In 2025, West Manatee Fire Rescue (WMFR) experienced a year of independent recognition that offers the community a clear view into how its fire department is structured, led and supported across all levels of service.
Both of Florida’s fire service professional associations – the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association (FFCA) and the Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association (FFMIA) – recognized WMFR leadership during the same year. These honors were peer-driven, statewide recognitions based on performance, impact and contribution to the fire service.
FFCA and FFMIA named WMFR’s Fire Marshal Rodney Kwiatkowski as the Florida Fire Marshal of the Year. FFCA also recognized Deputy Chief Jay Johnson as the Florida Executive Fire Officer of the Year and Fire Inspector Josh Adkins as the Florida Fire Inspector of the Year.
While each award highlights individual achievement, taken together they reflect something broader: an organization functioning at the highest level.
Fire prevention and community risk reduction form the foundation of modern public safety. Recognition of the Fire Marshal of the Year reflects sustained efforts to reduce risk before emergencies occur through engineering, education, enforcement, community risk assessment, risk reduction programming and collaboration with community partners.
This work plays a critical role in protecting lives and property while contributing to long-term economic stability. Effective prevention is not reactive; it is deliberate, data-informed and integrated into broader organizational strategic planning.
Prevention alone, however, is not sufficient without strong executive leadership to support it. Executive leadership in public safety includes operational readiness, workforce development and organizational accountability. The Executive Fire Officer of the Year award recognizes leadership that aligns training, staffing and response capabilities with the evolving needs of the community. Exceptional operations leadership ensures that when emergencies do occur, personnel are prepared, systems function as intended and services are delivered consistently and safely.
Behind these recognitions is an organizational leadership philosophy that emphasizes trust, accountability and professional autonomy. WMFR Fire Chief Ben Rigney has focused on assembling qualified leaders, setting clear expectations and allowing those leaders to carry out their responsibilities. This approach has enabled prevention and operations to function collaboratively rather than in isolation, producing sustained results rather than one-time successes.
That leadership philosophy is ultimately reflected in the work that occurs every day in neighborhoods, businesses and public spaces. The Fire Inspector of the Year award highlights the impact of professional, consistent fieldwork that translates policy and standards into tangible safety outcomes. Public education, inspections and other safety compliance efforts often receive little public attention, yet they remain essential to protecting lives and property.
Related coverage: West Manatee Fire and Rescue seeks additional funding source
