West Manatee Fire Rescue

Chief Kenneth Price presents firefighter Jay Johnson with his appointment certificate to firefighter 1^st class at a ceremony held at the Board of Commissioners meeting May 16^th 2013. Jay's father Gary performed the badge pinning in front of family, friends and co-workers.

Jay began his career with West Manatee Fire Rescue in as a cadet under the tutelage of Deputy Fire Marshal Jim Davis. Jay, after completing his time with the cadets, became a state certified firefighter/EMT and then joined the West Manatee reserve firefighter program in 2006.  He was then hired by the district in 2009 as a career firefighter and progressed through the firefighter ranks achieving numerous awards and certifications.  To achieve the level of 1^st class firefighter they must complete 9 Florida State Fire College courses, 4 NIMS/ICS courses and pass rigorous tests and examinations while receiving satisfactory evaluations. In all, by the time a firefighter reaches 1^st class, they have spent over 400 hours in the classroom and practical instruction. These hours do not include the hundreds of training hours annually that firefighters receive just to maintain certifications and proficiencies.  

Congratulations to our newest 1^st Class firefighter Jay Johnson. 

West Manatee Fire Rescue (WMFR) has been notified by the Insurance Services Office (ISO) that its Public Protection Class (PPC) rating has improved from a Class 4 to a Class 3.   This is significant in that it places WMFR among the top 128 rated fire service providers in the state and in the top 5% nationally.

ISO’s PPC classification range is 1 -10 with Class 1 representing an exemplary fire suppression program and a Class 10 means that the community’s fire suppression program does not meet ISO’s minimum criteria for fire protection.  In the State of Florida the largest classification is a Class 5 and Nationally it is a Class 9.

ISO has evaluated and classified over 48,000 fire protection areas across the United States using its fire suppression rating schedule.  A combination of meetings between trained ISO field representatives, dispatch centers, fire service providers and water departments in conjunction with a comprehensive evaluation which collects data necessary will determine the community’s PPC.  This rating is used by insurance companies to establish fair premiums for homeowners and commercial fire insurance.  In general the price of fire insurance in communities with a good PPC is substantially lower than in a community with a poor PPC.

The first area evaluated is the dispatch center.  This in-depth review focuses on the ability of the dispatch center to receive 911 calls for assistance and then dispatch the appropriate emergency response.  Our dispatch center (Manatee County Emergency Communications Center) received 9.48 points out of a possible 10.   

The second area evaluated is the fire district’s fire trucks, ladder trucks, equipment, fire station distribution and firefighter training.  WMFR received 30.99 points out of a possible 50.

The third area evaluated is the community’s water supply which includes the condition and maintenance of its hydrants, alternative water supplies, needed fire flows for fire suppression activities (up to 3500 GPM) and the available water supply.   Our water department (Manatee County Utilities) received 35.94 points out of a possible 40.

This new rating will take affect on August 1^st,2013 and we encourage all homeowners and commercial building owners to contact their insurance agent/company if they do not see a change on their policy at renewal.  

Firefighters Take On Teachers for Charity

West Manatee Firefighters took on the teachers from Martha B. King Middle School at the 5^th Annual MOTS Teachers vs. Firefighters Basketball Game. For the last five years, WMFR and the teachers at King Middle School have sold tickets for the students to watch there teachers play ball against their local firefighters. Proceeds from the game go to the Military Operation Troop Support (MOTS), which sends care packages overseas to our troops fighting for our freedom. This year MOTS raised approximately $3,000 for this event.

April 7th, 2013

Chief Kenneth A. Price Jr,

The Commission on Professional Credentialing (CPC) met on April 2^nd and voted unanimously to re-confer your “Chief Fire Officer” (CFO) designation. You have earned the professional designation as witnessed by a team of your peers and members of the Commission on Professional Credentialing. You have demonstrated through your education, leadership and management skills that you possess the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the fire and emergency services profession. 

On behalf of the Commission on Professional Credentialing, we commend your efforts and dedication in achieving this personal and professional milestone. 

Congratulations! 

Debbie Sobotka,

Deputy Director