East Manatee Fire announces promotions, awards

The East Manatee Fire Rescue District announced two promotions and honored several employees during Monday's meeting of the board of fire commissioners.

Firefighter Chad Hoeksema, who has represented the district in state and international "Toughest Competitor Alive" competitions, was named 2013 Firefighter of the Year, and Battalion Chief Derrick Toney was recognized as the 2013 Fire Officer of the Year, according to a news release.

Chief Byron Teates announced the promotions of of engineers Casey Lambert and Adam McDaniel to lieutenant.

Length of service awards were presented to:

• Firefighter Andrew Stark (10 years of county service)
• Lt. Kim Luther (10 years)
• Engineer Steve Gossett (15 years)
• Lt. Erik Nicholson (15 years)
• Lt. Fred Young (15 years)
• Battalion Chief Derrick Toney (15 years)
• Battalion Chief Stacey Bailey (20 years)
• Commissioner James BonAmi (20 years)
• Lt. Brian Kalmbach (25 years)
• Lt. Richard Dunkum (30 years)
• Chief Byron Teates (30 years)
• Deputy Chief Lee Whitehurst (35 years)

Also presented were certificates of recognition to:

• (A shift) Engineer Chris Galbraith and Lt. Fred Young
• (B shift) Firefighter Josh Dillard and engineer Danny Chappell
• (C shift) Firefighter James Darby and engineer Adam McDaniel