MANATEE COUNTY – Commissioners and staff at West Manatee Fire Rescue kicked off the new year on a festive note as the district presented its annual awards, recognizing the contributions to the department and community made over the previous year.
Taking home the year’s top honors were firefighters Cameron Frazier and David Miller, who were awarded Officer of the Year and Firefighter of the Year, respectively. Frazier also received an award in recognition of his 10 years of service to the fire district. Miller was recognized for completing his first year with WMFR.
The Rookie of the Year award went to Zackary Misiura while firefighter Jerrod Apple took home the Soteria award, named for the Greek goddess of safety, deliverance and preservation from harm.
Firefighter Mark Tuttle received an award in recognition of his first year of service with WMFR. Fire Marshal Rodney Kwiatkowski received recognition for his 15 years with the district. Though not present, firefighter Nathan Bergbom received an award for 25 years of service and firefighter William Bowen received recognition for 20 years of service.
Commissioner Robert Bennett was recognized for serving as the board chair in 2023.
Commissioners also congratulated firefighter Casey Fischbach for her promotion to firefighter second class.
Firefighter Zackary Misiura took home WMFR’s Rookie of the Year award. - Kristin Swain | Sun
Commissioner Larry Jennis congratulates firefighter David Miller on his Firefighter of the Year award win. - Kristin Swain | Sun
WMFR firefighter Jerrod Apple receives congratulations from Deputy Chief Jay Johnson on his win of the 2023 Soteria award. Firefighter Cameron Frazier received the Officer of the Year award. - Kristin Swain | Sun
Commissioner Robert Bennett was recognized for his time as chair of the fire district’s board of commissioners in 2023. - Kristin Swain | Sun
WMFR firefighter Jerrod Apple receives congratulations from Deputy Chief Jay Johnson on his win of the 2023 Soteria award. - Kristin Swain | Sun
